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A CATECHIsV 



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*ORT OF XSlffGX* 

Containing 

3 MOST STRIKING EVENTS 



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FRuMt THE' 



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EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESET ..tons I 8 

- 10 

- 11 
ADAPTED TO E USE OF KCHOO. " " " ™ 

UNITED STATES. 

[an Con quest, A.D. 1066. 
— . - - - 15 

BY CrmvwG, 1,L.^ b J Egbert, A. D; 

SOLYROOD-ifSoSE, SOUTH " "" * " " " \1 \ 

» lo 

Danish Conquest, A. D. / 

- •• - -20 

i . - - i% 

FOURTH AMERICA' /25 



S. III. 

~to the Accession of Henry IV, 
0. 1399. 



iYZW-F-Stephc 



PUBLISHED BY COLi 
230 PEARL-^ 

183Q 



23 
30 
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I 

Southern District of JVew- York, 38. 

«E IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-seventh day of May, 

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ico the title of a Book-, the right whereof they claim as pio- 

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JAMES DILL, 

of the Southern District of New- York. 









2 »3 
IS 

CONTENTS. 



H 



I 



BOOK L 



From the Invasion of Julius Ccesar, 55 Years before Christ, to the 
Arrival of the Saxons, A. D. 449. 

CHAP. PAGE 

I. Of the Ancient Britons ------ 5 

II. Religion and Government of the Ancient Britons - 8 

III. The Roman Invasion - - - - - 10 

IV. Britain a Roman Province - - . - - 11" 
V. The Departure of the Romans - - - - - 13 

BOOK II. 

From the Arrival of the Saxons to the Norman Conquest, A. D. 1066. 

I. The Saxon Heptarchy ------15 

II. The Kingdom of England founded by Egbert, A. D. / 

827 - - - - - - - - - 17 / 

III. Alfred the Great, A. D. 872 18 

IV. The Saxon Monarchy till the Danish Conquest, A. D. / 

1014 - - - - m 

V. The Danes in England *- - - - 

VI. The Saxon Line restored /25 

BOOK III. 

From the Norman Conquest to the Accession of Henry IV. 
A. D. 1399. 

I. William the Conqueror -. - - - - 28 

II. William II.— Henry I.— Stephen - - - - 30 

III. Henry II. - - - 83 

IV. Richard I. - - - - , - - - - 35 
V. John s*( . 

VI. Henry III. 

VII. Edward I. / 

VIII. Edward II. - - - 

IX. Edward HI. 

X. Richard II. 



CONTENTS. 
BOOK IV. 



From the Accession of Henry IV. to the Accession of Henry VII. 
A. D. 1485. 

CHAP. PAGE 

I. Hi'nrylV. 47 

II. Henry V. --_.---- 49 

HI. Henry VI. 51 

IV. Edward IV 53 

V. Edward V. 55 

VI. Richard HI. - - - - - - - - 56 



BOOK V. 

From the Accession of Henry VII. to the Beheading of Charles I. 
A. D. 1649. 

I. Henry VII. 58 

II. Henrv VIII. 60 

III. Edward VI. -------- 62 

IV. Mary 63 

V. Elizabeth - ,- -65 

VI. James I. --..-... 67 
VII. Charles I. - 69 



BOOK VI. 

Frmn ihe Formation of the Commonwealth to the Accession of the 
Hotter of Brunswick. A.I). 1714. 

I. The Commonwealth ------ 71 

II. Charles II. 73 

Hi. Jame* II. 75 

IV. WiJIiam III. and Mary II. - - 76 

V. Anne ---------. 78 



BOOK VII. 

From, the Accession of the House of Brunswick to the present Time. 

\ •,.!. George I. 80 

II. Georsje II. - - ' - - - - - - 82 

ill. George III. ',-,.; - 85' 

iVl iieorgelV. -'"."- - - - - - - 95 






CATECHISM 

OF THE 

HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
BOOK I. 

FROM THE INVASION OF JULIUS CJESAR, FIFTY- 
FIVE YEARS BEFORE CHRIST, TO THE ARRI- 
VAL OF THE SAXONS, A. D.* 449. 



CHAPTER I. 

Of the Ancient Britons. 

Q. What was the origin of the first inha- 
bitants of England ? 

A. England appears to have been peopled 
by migrations from the opposite coasts of Gaul, 
the earliest of which took place about 1000 
years before the birth of our Saviour. 

Q. What name was given to the country 1 

A. The first name of this island was Albion, 
from its white cliffs ; and afterward Britain, 
from a Celtic word denoting separation. 

*A. D. Anno Domim, in the year of our Lot}, 

A3 J 



6 CATECHISM OF THE 

T. Describe the persons of the ancient Bri- 
tons. 

P. The ancient Britons were remarkable 
for their size and strength, and for the fair- 
ness of their complexions. They stained their 
skins with woad, which made it of a blue co- 
lour, and drew upon their bodies the figures of 
diff rent animals. 

Q. What was their general character % 

A. The ancient Britons were acute, inge- 
nious, valorous in war, and great lovers of li- 
berty; they were fond of feasting, and hospi- 
tality was one of their most shining virtues. 

Q. What was their dress 1 

A. The dress of the ancient Britons con- 
sisted of mantles made of skins which covered 
the whole body, and their shoes were only a 
piece of the skin of a horse or cow. 

Q. What else do you observe of their per- 
sons % 

A. The ancient Britons prided themselves 
on the length and beauty of their hair, which 
they permitted to flow upon their backs and 
shoulders, but they shaved all their beard, ex- 
cept upon the upper lip. 

T. Describe their habitations. 

P. In the earliest times, the Britons lived in 
dens and caves in winter, and in summer in huts 
made of boughs and turf; but they afterward 
became more sociable, and enclosed a large 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 7 

circuit with felled trees, within which they built 
their slight habitations. 

Q. What were their occupations ? 

A. The principal occupations of the Bri- 
tons were hunting, pasturage, agriculture, and 
war. 

Q. What was their food 1 

A. The Britons for a long time lived on the 
produce of the chase, acorns, and other wild 
fruits, and their drink was only water ; but the 
Belgae introduced the practice of agriculture 
from Gaul ; so that at the time of the Roman 
invasion they had corn, herds of cattle, and 
flocks of sheep. 

T. Describe the method in which they took 
their meals. 

P. The ancient Britons had only two meals, 
breakfast and supper, at which they sat upon 
the ground, with hay, or the skin of some ani- 
mal, under them ; they used no knives or forks, 
but tore the meat with their teeth, and drank 
out of the horns of oxen or other animals. 






8 CATECHISM OF TH& 

CHAPTER II. 

The Religion and Government of the ancient 
Britons. 

Q,. What was the religion of the ancient 
Britons 1 

A. The ancient Britons were idolaters, 
worshipping the sun, moon, &c, to which 
they sacrificed not only beasts, but the blood 
of captives ; they also believed in a Supreme 
Being, an evil demoiv ^d ^ ne immortality of 
the soul. 

Q. Who were the ministers of religion 
among the Britons ? 

A. The prbsts of the ancient Britons were 
called Druids ; they were chosen from the 
best families, and enjoyed the highest honours 
and privileges. 

Q. What was their mode of life 1 

A. The Druids lived in woods, caves, and 
hollow trees ; their food was acorns and ber- 
ries, and their drink water. They instructed 
youth in the principles of religion, as well as 
in astronomy, geometry, and natural philo- 
sophy. 

Q. What else do you observe of the religion 
of the Britons'? 

A. The Britons never worshipped their gods 
under any roof, but in groves of oak, within 
which was a circular enclosure of large stones 
set perpendicular in the earth. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 9 

Q. What was the form of government among 
the Britons? 

A. The most ancient form of government 
was the patriarchal ;* but when Britain was 
invaded by the Romans, it contained many in- 
dependent states, each composed of several 
tribes or clans. 

Q. How were they governed in time of 
war ? 

A. Upon any dangerous emergency, or in 
time of war, a commander-in'-chief was chosen 
by common consent, and to him was intrusted 
the care of the general interest. 

Q. What is remarkable of their mode of 
warfar ? 

A. The ancient Britons chiefly fought on 
foot, with swords, battle axes, or spears, and 
used a shield for their defence ; they also used 
chariots, which had short scythes fastened to 
the end of the axle-trees, with which they 
mowed down the ranks of the enemy. 

* A Patriarchal government is that in which the fathers 
or heads of famiiie-s direct and govern their children and other 
relations ; and this appears to have been the earliest mode of 
dominion, being founded on the natural authority of the parent. 



10 CATECHISM OP THE 



CHAPTER III. 

The Roman* Invasion, 

Q. What was the cause which led to the 
invasion of Britain by the Romans ? 

A. Julius Caesar, a Roman general, having 
conquered the warlike nations of Gaul, became 
ambitious of adding Britain also to the Ro- 
man empire ; he therefore prepared to invade 
it, assuming^ as a pretext, the assistance which 
the Britons had given to his enemies in Gaul. 

T. Describe this expedition. 

P. Caesar set sail at midnight, and arrived in 
the morning on the coast of Britain, near Do- 
ver ; but seeing the cliffs covered with armed 
men, he sailed as far as Deal, where he landed 
with very little opposition. 

Q. What circumstance is worthy of remark 
at their landing 1 

A. The ships of Caesar not being able to 
come close to the shore, the soldiers hesitated 
to encounter at once the waves and the brave 
natives, till induced by a standard bearer, who 
cried aloud, " Follow me, fellow soldiers, 

* The Romans, so called from Rome their capital, were a 
people in the south of Italy, who by their discipline and valour 
conquered all the neighbouring nations, and finally became 
masters of the then known world. But abandoning themselves 
to luxury and effeminacy, they were for a long time oppressed 
by tyrants, and their power was finally annihilated by the in- 
roads of northern barbarians. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 11 

Unless you will betray the Roman eagle into 
the hands of the enemy ; for my part, I am 
determined to discharge my duty to Caesar and 
the commonwealth." 

Q. What was the result of this expedition ] 

A. The Britons having fought several un- 
successful battles, were obliged to sue for 
peace, which Caesar granted them, and re- 
turned to Gaul. 

Q. Did Caesar again return to Britain ? 

A. The ensuing year Caesar returned with a 
numerous army, and although opposed by the 
natives, was successful in compelling them to 
pay tribute, and to give hostages. 

Q. To what cause is the easy progress of 
the Romans ascribed ? 

A. At the time of the invasion, the Bri- 
tons had chosen Cassibelaunus for their com- 
mander-in-chief; but some of the petty princes 
under his command, from suspicion or jealousy, 
withdrew their troops, while others submitted 
to Caesar ; so that Cassibelaunus was obliged 
to propose terms of peace. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Britain a Roman Province, 
Q. When did the Romans next invade Bri- 
tain ? 
A. The tribute imposed by Caesar was never 



12 CATECHISM OF THE 

paid, and the Britons remained unmolested for 
nearly a century ; when the emperor Claudius 
undertook and executed an expedition, but 
with little success, A. D. 42. 

Q. Who were most conspicuous in opposing 
the Romans ? 

A. Those who made the greatest stand 
against the Romans were Caractacus, and 
Boadicea the powerful queen of the Iceni ; 
but after opposing and harassing the Romans 
during nine years, the former was taken pri- 
soner, and the latter entirely defeated.* 

Q. Were the Romans ultimately success- 
ful? 

A. The Romans finally reduced that part 
of the island called England into a province ; 
but being unable to subdue the Caledonians, 
Picts, and Scots, they built two famous walls, 
one between the Friths of Clyde and Forth, 
and the other between Tinmouth and the Sol- 
way Frith. 

Q. What advantages did the Britons derive 
from being conquered ? 

A. The' famous Roman general, Agricola, 
took great pains to introduce into Britain the 
Roman arts, sciences, and agriculture ; he 

* The observation of Caractacus, as he was led in triumph 
through the streets of Home, is vtry memorable. " How is it 
poasi'ble," cried he, "that a people possessed of such magnifi- 
cence at home, should envy Caractacus an humble cottage in 
Britain."— Boadicea, after her defeat, disdained to survive the 
liberties of her country, and put an end to her life by poison. 



HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 13 

taught the youth the Roman language and 
mode of warfare, and erected statues, temples, 
theatres, and other public edifices. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Departure of the Romans, 

Q On what account did the Romans aban- 
don Britain ? 

A. The Roman empire being overrun with 
barbarians, the troops that occupied Britain 
were recalled, after the island had been subject 
to the Romans upwards of 500 years. 

Q. What took place after the departure of 
the Romans ? 

A. The Picts and Scots, finding the island 
finally deserted by the Romans, passed the 
walls with little difficulty, and filled the country 
with slaughter and desolation. 

Q. How did the Britons act in this emer- 
gency ? 

A. The Britons having in vain applied to 
the Romans for assistance, at length agreed to 
call in two powerful Saxon chiefs, HengUt 
and Horsa, to defend them against the inva- 
ders. 

Q. Who were the Saxons *? 

A. The Saxons were a warlike people in- 
habiting the north of Germany, where they 
B 



14 CATECHISM OF THE 

had rendered themselves formidable by their 
strength and valour, 

Q. What was the religion of the Saxons? 

A. The Saxons, on their arrival in England, 
and before their conversion to Christianity, 
were gross idolaters, worshipping a divinity 
called Odin, or Father of the Slain, who was 
represented by a great log of unfashioned 
wood, raised perpendicularly in the open air. 

Q. What were the other Saxon divinities ? 

A. The days of the week derived their names 
from the principal idols of the' Saxons, which 
were, the Sun ; the Moon ; Tuisco, the sun 
of the earth ; Wodin, or Odin, their supreme 
divinity already mentioned. Thor, the thun- 
derer, or ruler of the air ; Frea, the wife of 
Odin, and goddess of love ; and Seater, the 
god of trade and husbandry. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 15 



BOOK II. 

FROM THE ARRIVAL OF THE SAXONS TO THE 
NORMAN CONQUEST. A D. 1066, 



CHAPTETR I. 

The Saxon Heptarchy. 

Q. What was the success of the Saxons 
on their arrival in Britain ? 

A. The Saxons on their arrival being- joined 
by the British forces, marched against the 
Picts and Scots, and after having entirely de- 
feated them, were rewarded with large pos- 
sessions in the land which they had delivered. 

Q. What was their subsequent conduct *? 

A. The Saxons, finding Britain much 
more fertile and alluring than their own re- 
sidence, came over in great numbers ; and, 
conscious of their superior valour, thought 
of conquering the country for themselves. 

Q. Were they finally successful ] 

A. After a violent struggle of nearly 150 
yearsj the Saxons subdued the whole of South 
Britain, except Wales and Cornwall, and es- 
tablished the seven kingdoms called the Saxoa 
Heptarchy. 



16 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. What were their names ? 

A. The kingdoms which composed the 
Saxon Heptarchy were Kent, Sussex, Wes- 
sex, East Anglia, Mercia, Essex, and North- 
umberland. 

Q. Who were the most celebrated for their 
opposition to the Saxons 1 

A. The princes who made the noblest 
stand against the Saxons were Vortimer, Am- 
brosius, and the celebrated King Arthur, who 
was killed A. D. 546. 

Q. What was the effect of this conquest on 
the state of Britain 1 

A. By the conquest of the Saxons the 
whole southern part of the island, except 
Wales and Cornwall, changed its inhabitants, 
language, and customs; Christianity, litera- 
ture, and the arts, which the Romans had 
introduced, were extirpated, and idolatry, 
darkness, and desolation took their place. 

Q. How long did the Saxon Heptarchy 
continue ? 

A. Soon after the establishment of the 
Saxon Heptarchy, jealousies and dissensions 
arose among the Saxon chiefs ; and after 
above 200 years of almost continued warfare, 
the seven kingdoms fell under the powe; of 
Egbert, king of Wessex. 



HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 17 



CHAPTER II. 

The Kingdom of England founded by Egbert, 
a. d. 827. 

Q. What was the character of Egbert ? 

A. Egbert was no less celebrated for his 
bravery, virtue, and talents, than for the pru- 
dence and moderation with which he regulated 
his infant monarchy. 

Q. What are the most remarkable occur- 
rences in his reign ? 

A. In the reign of Egbert the Danes be- 
came formidable to England by their frequent 
invasions, and although routed several times 
with dreadful slaughter, still continued their 
irruptions. 

Q. In what manner were these expeditions 
conducted? 

A. The Danes when they landed always 
avoided coming to a general engagement, but 
scattering themselves in small parties over 
the country, burned or carried off to their 
ships every thing that came in their way, 
goods, cattle, and women, so that the whole 
kingdom was kept in continual alarm. 

Q. Who succeeded Egbert ] 

A. To Egbert succeeded his son Ethel- 
wolf, who, possessing neither the valour nor 
B2 



18 CATECHISM OF THE 

abilities of his father, was unable to resist the 
renewed and more formidable irruptions of 
the Danes. 

Q. Who were the succeding sovereigns'? 

A. The successors of Ethel wolf were Ethel- 
bald, a very wicked prince, Ethelbert, and 
Etbelred. 

Q. What progress had the Danes by this 
time made in the kingdom 1 

A. In the reign of Ethelbald the Danes 
first wintered in England, and in the time of 
Ethelred, notwithstanding the bravery of his 
brother Alfred, they gained possession of the 
sea coasts and the finest provinces of Eng- 
land. 



CHAPTER III. 

Alfred the Great, a. d. 871—901. 

Q. Under what circumstances did Alfred 
commence his reign 1 

A. Ethelred having fallen in opposing the 
Danes, Alfred succeeded at 22 years of age, 
and found his subjects inactive and dispirited, 
while the Danes had penetrated into the very 
heart of his dominions. 

Q. What was his conduct on coming to the 
throne ? 

A. Alfred having restored confidence among 
his subjects, harrassed the Danes with such 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 19 

vigour, that they agreed to evacuate the 
kingdom ; but being reinforced, the English 
submitted, after various struggles, and Al- 
fred was obliged to conceal himself in dis- 
guise.* 

Q. How long did he remain inactive ? 

A. Alfred had been hardly a twelvemonth in 
his retreat, when he heard that the Earl of De- 
vonshire had routed a party of Danes, and 
taken the famous reafen or enchanted standard 
of the enemy. 

Q. How did Alfred then act ? 

A. Before Alfred assembled his subjects in 
arms, he entered the Danish camp in the dis- 
guise of a harper, and having observed their 
careless security, he rejoined his followers, and 
leading them against the enemy 5 gained a com- 
plete victory. 

Q. What use did he make of his victory? 

A. Alfred allowed the remainder of the 
Danes, who implored his clemency, to settle 
in East Anglia and Northumberland, on con- 
dition that they should embrace Christianity, 
to which they submitted, and retired peaceably 
to their new possessions. 

Q. What were the consequences of this vic- 
tory ? 

* The place of Alfred's retreat was in the island of Athelney, 
at the confluence of the rivers Parret and Thone, in Somerset- 
shire. 



20 CATECHISM OP THE 

A. England being now at peace, Alfred set 
about rebuilding the ruined cities, and bringing 
the minds of men back to industry, religion, 
and justice. 

Q. What measures did he adopt for this pur- 
pose ? 

A. Alfred divided the kingdom into shires, 
or counties, established a regular militia, and 
guarded the coasts with a powerful navy : he 
also founded the university of Oxford, and es- 
tablished the mode of trial by jury, the greatest 
security of our liberties. 

Q. When did he die 1 

A. Alfred died A. D. 901, in the 30th year 
of his reign. 

Q. What character is given of this prince ? 

A. Alfred may be considered as the greatest 
warrior, legislator, and scholar, of the age in 
which he lived : he died universally lamented, 
bearing with him the appellation of Great, 
which he merited as well by his talents as by 
his great virtues. 



CHAPTER IV. 

The Saxon Monarchy till the Danish conquest, 
a. d. 1014. 

Q. Who succeeded Alfred the Great ? 
A. Alfred was succeeded by his only sur- 



HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 21 

viving son Edward, who, inheriting the military- 
genius of his father, suppressed the insurrec- 
tions of the Danes and Northumbrians ; he 
reigned 24 years, and was succeeded by Athel- 
stan, his natural son. 

Q. What do you observe of Athelstan 1 

A. In the early part of his reign, Athelstan 
was engaged in successful wars with the Danes 
and Scots ; but he spent the remainder in 
peace, employing his talents in the internal re- 
gulation of his kingdom.* 

Q. By whom was he succeeded 1 

A. On the death of Athelstan, his brother 
Edmund ascended the throne, and distinguished 
himself by his vigilance and sagacity ; his reign, 
however, was but short, being stabbed by Leolf, 
a robber, a. d. 946. 

Q. What are the most remarkable occur- 
rences of the succeeding reign ] 

A. Edmund was succeeded by his brother 
Edred, who, after bravely crushing a rebel- 
lion of the Northumbrian Danes, became the 
slave of superstition, being implicitly directed 
in all things by Dunstan, abbot of Glaston- 
bury. 

Q. What was the character of his suc- 
cessor? 

* Athelstan gave great encouragement to commerce, and 
enacted a law, that a merchant who had made three long voyages 
on his own account, should be raised to the rank of a thane or 
nobleman. 



22 CATECHISM OF THE 

A. Edwy, the late king's nephew, who as- 
cended the throne, was a prince of a martial 
disposition, and of great personal accomplish- 
ments : his reign is remarkable for the outrages 
and cruelties which, under the influence -of a 
degrading bigotry, were committed upon the 
person of his beautiful, but unfortunate queen 
Elgiva. 

Q. What do you observe of King Edgar? 

A. Edgar was only thirteen years of age 
when he received the crown, but soon rendered 
himself formidable by a powerful army and 
navy : his reign was very tranquil, and distin- 
guished only by his amours, and by the extir- 
pation of wolves in England.* 

Q. Who succeeded Edgar 1 

A. Edgar was succeeded by his son Ed- 
ward, surnamed the Martyr, from his having 
been murdered at the instigation of his step- 
mother Elfrida, to make room for her own son 
Ethelred. 

Q. What is the character of Ethelred ? 

A. Ethelred, from his weakness and irre- 
solution, acquired the surname of Unready; 
.the Danes, taking advantage of his incapa- 
city, renewed their depredations, and to get 
rid of them the king agreed to pay them 
10,0QQL 



* Edgar effected this by changing the tribute money, which 
had been imposed upon the Welch princes by Athelstan, into aa 
annual tribute of 300 wolves' heads. 



HISTORY OF EtftfLAND. 23 

Q. What barbarous act did Ethel red after- 
ward instigate towards the Danes ? 

A. In the year 1002 the King ordered the 
massacre of all Danish troops throughout his 
dominions ; but the populace, instigated by 
the recollection of former injuries, did not 
distinguish between innocence and guilt, and 
spared neither age nor sex. 

Q. What was the consequence of this hor- 
rid deed 1 

A. This perfidious conduct served only to 
enrage the Danish king, Svveyn, who, in 1013, 
obliged Ethelred and his family to flee to Nor- 
mandy, a province of France, and was himself 
acknowledged king of England. 



CHAPTER V. 

The Danes in England. 

Q. How long did Sweyn enjoy the throne 5 
and what event followed his death ? 

A. Sweyn survived his exaltation to the 
throne of England but a few weeks, and 
Ethelred was recalled by the nobles and pre- 
lates. 

Q. By whom was he .opposed ] 

A. Ethelred soon found Canute, the son and 
successor of Svveyn, as formidable an enemy 



24 CATECHISM OF THE 

as his father, and dying soon after, left his 
throne to his son Edmund, surnamed Ironside, 
from his hardy valour. 

Q. What was the character of Edmund ? 

A. Edmund distinguished himself by his 
fortitude, prudence, and generosity ; but his 
abilities and courage, though great, were un- 
able to save his sinking country, and he was 
obliged to divide the kingdom with his Danish 
rival. 

Q,. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Soon after the division of the kingdom, 
Edmund was treacherously murdered at Ox- 
ford, and Canute was left in peaceable posses- 
sion of the whole kingdom. 

Q. What do you remark of the reign of 
Canute ? 

A. Although the beginning of Canute's do- 
minion was marked with severity and oppres- 
sion, he afterward acquired the confidence of 
the English government by his piety, and the 
impartiality of his administration : he died 
A. D. 1035, after a reign of 18 years. 

Q. What were the principal events of this 
reign ] 

A. Canute, assisted by a body of English 
troopsj added Norway to his Danish dominions, 
and having compelled Malcolm, king of Scot- 
land, to do him homage, he became the most 
powerful monarch of his time, and was* ho- 
noured with the surname of Great. 



HISTORY OP ENGLAND. Z 

Q. Who was his successor 1 

A. Canute was succeeded on the English 
throne by his son Harold, of whom nothing 
memorable is recorded. 

Q. Who next filled the throne 1 

A. The successor of Harold was Hardi- 
canute, a degenerate prince, who lost the af- 
fections of his subjects by his cruelty, avarice, 
and intemperance. He died of a debauch, 
A. D. 1041, and was the last of the Danish 
kings. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Saxon line restored. 

Q. Who succeeded Hardicanute 1 

A. Upon the death of Hardicanute, Edward, 
the son of Ethelred, was called to the throne 
by the universal consent of the nation. He 
was a great benefactor to the church, and by 
means of such generosity, as well as by his 
piety, he obtained the title of Saint, or Con- 
fessor. 

Q. What do you remark of his reign ? 

A. The partiality shown by Edward to the 
Normans occasioned a powerful insurrection, 
which ended in the suppression of foreign in- 
fluence. He died after a peaceable reign of 
C 



28 CATECHISM OF THE 

25 years, without issue, and without appointing' 
a successor. 

Q. By whom was he succeeded 1 

A. Edward being dead, Harold, the son of 
Earl Goodwin,* ascended the throne without 
opposition ; the voice of the people supported 
his claim, and he was crowned by the Arch- 
bishop of York the day after Edward's death. 

Q. What was the character of Harold ? 

A. Harold was a valiant, virtuous, and en- 
terprising prince, who had acquired the love 
and confidence of the English by his justice 
and generosity ; but he possessed only a short 
time the crown he was so worthy and able to 
bear. 

Q. By whom was he opposed ] 

A. Harold's right to the crown was con- 
tended by William, Duke of Normandy, who 
pretended that the kingdom had been be- 
queathed to him by Edward the Confessor. 

Q. What was the issue of their rivalry ? 

A. While Harold was in the north routing 
the Norwegians, who had made a descent, Wil- 
liam landed a powerful army of 60,000 men at 
Pevensey, in Sussex ; Harold hastened to op- 
pose him, and in the battle of Hastings bravely 
fell in the defence of his crown. — This san- 

* Earl Goodwin was a popular English nobleman of Saxon 
descen*, and nearly allied to the royal family. He was the 
most powerful subject in the kingdom, and with his son Harold 
had the chief direction of affairs during the reign of the Con- 
fessor. 



History of England. 27 

guinary battle lasted from day-break till sun-set, 
and the victory was disputed with equal bravery 
on both sides. At length the Normans, feign- 
ing a retreat, drew the English into the plain, 
and suddenly facing about, drove them back 
with great slaughter. They however main- 
tained the contest with vigour, and the issue 
was still doubtful when Harold was slain by an 
arrow while fighting on foot in the foremost 
ranks. The English, dispirited by the loss of 
their leader, gave way in every direction, and 
the victorious Normans returned thanks to 
Heaven on the field of battle. 



28 CATECHISM OF THE 



BOOK III. 



FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST TO THE ACCES- 
SION OF HENRY IV., A. D. 1399. 



CHAPTER I. 

William the Conqueror, a. d. 1066 — 1087. 

Q. Who was William the Conqueror? 

A. William, who after his accession to the 
English throne was called the Conqueror, was 
the natural son of Robert, Duke of Normandy, 
to whose title he succeeded, and early distin- 
guished himself by his great abilities, both as a 
statesman and a warrior. 

Q. What followed his victory over Harold ? 

A. Immediately after the battle, William 
proceeded by forced marches to London, and 
on his approach, Stigand, the Archbishop of 
Canterbury, with the chief nobility, entered 
his camp, and made him a formal offer of the 
crown, upon condition that he should govern 
according to the customs of the country. 

Q. When was he crowned ] 

A. William was crowned on Christmas day, 
1066, in the presence of the principal nobility, 
and took the usual oath to observe the laws of 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 29 

the realm, and to govern the people with mo 
deration. 

Q. What do you observe of his reign ? 

A. The beginning of William's reign was 
mild and humane, but a secret conspiracy 
having been formed in his absence for a general 
massacre of the Normans, he treated the English 
with the utmost rigour, divided almost all the 
lands among his followers, and established the 
curfew-bell.* 

Q. W T hat were the other occurrences of this 
reign 1 

A. William introduced the feudal system 
and attempted to abolish the English lan- 
guage ; he also caused the New Forest to be 
laid out, and Doomsday Bookf to be compiled. 

Q. What was the cause of his death ? 

A. William having gone over to Normandy 
to quell an insurrection of This sons, excited 
by the King of France, died at Mantis, from 
a bruise which he received on horseback, in 
the 63d year of his age, and the 21st of his 
reign over England. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary 
with William the Conqueror ? 

* The Curfew, or Couvre-few (cover fire), was a bell rung 
every night at eight o'clock, at which time the English had to 
extinguish their fires and candies. 

t Doomsday Book is a register of all the lands in the king- 
dom, their proprietors, tenure, and value. It is still preserved 
in the Exchequer. 

C2 



30 CATECHISM OP THE 

A. During the reign of William I. France 
was governed by Philip I. ; Germany by 
Henry IV. ; and Scotland by Malcolm III. 
and Donald VII. 



CHAPTER II. 

William II. — Henry I. — Stephen. 
a. d. 1087—1155. 

Q. By whom was William the Conqueror 
succeeded 1 

A. William the Conqueror was succeeded 
by his second son William, surnamed Rufus, 
from his red hair ; he was a brave and intrepid 
prince, but actuated by rapacity, ambition, and 
avarice. 

Q. What were the most remarkable events 
of his reign ? 

A. William was engaged in perpetual wars 
with his rebellious subjects ; he also purchased 
the Dutchy of Normandy from his elder bro- 
ther Robert, repelled the invasions of the 
Welsh, and obliged Malcolm, King of Scot- 
land, to do him homage. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. As William was hunting in the New- 
Forest, he was shot by an arrow discharged 
at a deer, which glancing from a tree, struck 
him to the heart, A. D. 1100, in the 40th yeai 
of his age, and the 13th of his reign. 
Q. Who next ascended the throne? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 31 

A. William having' no sons, his brother 
Henry, who had been hunting with him at the 
time of his death, secured the royal trea- 
sure at Winchester, and hastened to London, 
where he wassolemnly crowned three days after, 
although his elder brother Robert, the rightful 
heir, was then returning from the Holy Land. 

Q. What did Henry do to render himself 
popular ? 

A. Henry gained the affections of his peo- 
ple my marrying Matilda, a descendant of their 
Saxon monarchs, and by granting them a 
charter, in which he restored many of their 
ancient laws and privileges. 

Q. What are the principal occurrences of 
his reign ? 

A. Henry deprived his brother Robert of 
the Dutchy of Normandy, and detained him a 
prisoner above 27 years, till his death ; he 
afterward engaged in a successful war with 
Fiance, but had the misfortune to lose his only 
son William, who was drowned in his passage 
from that country. 

Q. What occasioned his death ? 

A. Henry died in Normandy, from eating 
too plentifully of lampreys, in the 67th year of 
his age, and the 35th year of his reign, having 
settled the succession upon his daughter Ma- 
tilda, and her infant son Henry.* 

* Matilda or Maud was first married to Henry V; emperor 
of Germany, and afterwards to Geoffrey Plantagcnet, earl 
of Anjou, by the latter of whom she had three sons. 



S3 'catechism op the 

Q. What was the character of Henry 1. 1 

A. Heni7, surnamed Beauclerk, or the 
scholar, from his progress in literature, was 
one of the greatest princes of his age, as well 
for his power, as for his prudence, bravery, 
and shining talents ; but his ungenerous and 
cruel conduct to his brother Robert is an inde- 
lible stain on his character. 

Q. Who succeeded Henry I. ? 

A. On the death of Henry, the crown was 
seized by Stephen, Count of Blois, who by 
means of his brother, the Bishop of Winches- 
ter, gained the clergy to his interests, and got 
himself acknowledged by the barons by increas- 
ing their privileges. 

Q, By whom was he opposed 1 

A. Matilda, the daughter of Henry, soon 
landed in England, and found herself at the 
head of a powerful party : she therefore raised 
an army, which, under the command of her 
brother the earl of Gloucester, defeated the 
troops of Stephen and took him prisoner in 
1141. 

Q. How did Matilda conduct herself in her 
elevation ? 

A. Matilda, being seated on the throne, 
treated the nobles and clergy with pride and 
disdain, and refused to re-establish the Saxon 
laws ; upon which the standard of Stephen 
was erected, the queen obliged to fly, and the 
king again set at liberty. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 33 

Q. How did this contest terminate 1 
A. Henry the son of Matilda, came over 
to England to renew the contest ; but Eus- 
tace, Stephen's only son, dying, it was agreed 
that Stephen should enjoy the crown during 
his life, and that Henry should inherit the 
kingdom at his death. 

Q. How long did Stephen survive this trans- 
action] 

A. Stephen enjoyed the crown in peace 
aboul a year, and died at Canterbury, A. D. 
1154, after a turbulent reign of 19 years. 
Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns 1 
A. The contemporary sovereigns were 
Louis VI. and Louis VII., of France; Lo- 
thaire II. Conrad III., and Frederick I., of 
Germany ; and Edgar, Alexander, and David, 
kings of Scotland. 



CHAPTER III. 

HOUSE OF PLANTAGENET. 

Henrxj the Second, a. d. 1155 — 1190. 

Q. What were the first acts of Henry's ad- 
ministration. 

A. Henry the Second began his reign by 
correcting the abuses that had crept into the 



34 CATECHISM OF THE 

government ; he demolished the castles of the 
barons, dismissed all the mercenary troops, 
gave charters to several towns, and enacted a 
rigorous execution of justice. 

Q. What were the dominions of this mo- 
narch ? 

A. Henry II., on his accession to the 
throne, was the most powerful sovereign in 
Europe ; besides the kingdom of England, 
he was master of above a third of the whole 
French monarchy, including Normandy, Bri- 
ianny, Anjou, Gienne ; Poictou, Maine, &c, 
and afterward added Ireland to his domin- 
ions. 

Q. What was the cause of his death ? . 

A. Henry is said to have died of a broken 
heart, caused by the repeated rebellions of 
his sons ; having maintained till the last the 
reputation of the greatest prince of his age for 
wisdom, valour, and abilities. 

Q. What is the most remarkable event in 
his reign 1 

A. The most remarkable event is the as- 
sassination of Thomas-a-Becket, Archbishop 
of Canterbury, who haviBg raised disturb- 
ances in the kingdom by his opposition to the 
king's measures, was murdered before the 
altar of his own church, by four knights of 
Henry's household. 

Q. What other occurrences are deserving 
of mention 1 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 35 

A* Henry walked barefoot to Becket's 
tomb, and submitted to be scourged by the 
monks : but his greatest blemish was his amour 
with the fair Rosamond, the most beautiful wo- 
man of her time. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary 
with Henry II.? 

A. During the reign of Henry II., Frederick 
I. was emperor of Germany; Louis VII. and 
Philip III. kings of France; and David, Mal- 
colm IV., and William, kings of Scotland. [ 



CHAPTER IV. 

Richard the First, a. d. 1190—1199. 

Q. Who next ascended the throne ] 

A. Henry II. was succeeded by his eldest 
surviving son Richard, who was no sooner 
king than he undertook a crusade against the 
Infidels, in which he signalized himself by his 
valour and heroism. 

Q. What were the crusades 1 

A. The crusades were expeditions under- 
taken by the Christian princes of Europe, m 
order to deliver Jerusalem and the Holy Land 
out of the hands of the Infidels, or Sara- 
cens. 



36 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. What befell Richard on his return ? 

A. On his way home Richard was ship- 
wrecked on the coast of Italy, and having as- 
sumed the disguise of a pilgrim, was arrested in 
passing through Germany, and thrown into a 
dungeon ; from which, however, he was soon 
ransomed by his subjects. 

Q. What occasioned his death *? 

A. Richard received his death-wound when 
besieging one of his vassals in the castle of 
Chalons, in the 42d year of his age, and after 
a reign of ten years, passed in almost continual 
hostilities. 

Q. What was the character of Richard ? 

A. Richard possessed the highest ' military 
talents, and his intrepidity had acquired him the 
appellation of Cceur de Lion, or Lion-hearted : 
although ambitious and haughty, he was open, 
generous and sincere ; and gained the af- 
fections of his subjects by his splendid victo- 
ries. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sove- 
reigns ? 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with Rich- 
ard were, Henry VI. and Philip I. Emperors 
of Germany; Philip II. of France ; Sancho I. 
of Portugal ; Canute V. of Denmark ; and 
William of Scotland. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 37 

CHAPTER V. 

John. a. d. 1199—1216. 

Q. By whom was Richard succeeded? 

A. Richard, having left no children, was 
succeeded by his brother John, surnamed Sans- 
terre, or Lack-Land. 

Q. What were the first acts of his reign? 

A. After having subjected his revolted pro- 
vinces in France, John is accused of having 
murdered, with his own hand, his nephew Ar- 
thur, who was at the head of the insurgents. 

Q. What were the consequences of this hor- 
rid deed ? 

A. The death of Arthur excited general hor- 
ror and detestation of the tyrant ; the barons 
refused to grant him succours, and his conti- 
nental dominions were confiscated by the king 
of France. 

T. Relate the other occurrences of this 
reign. 

P. In consequence of his quarrel with the 
pope, the nation was laid under an interdict ;* 
and having afterward shamefully done homage 

* By this sentence the churches were shut ; the bells re- 
moved from the steeples ; the deau were thrown into ditches, 
or buried in common fields, without any funeral solemnity ; the 
people were forbidden to salute each other, or even to shave 
their beards ; and every deprivation was enforced by the clergy 

D 



38 CATECHISM OF THE 

to the pope's legate, and consented to pay tri- 
bute, his submission so enraged the barons that 
they formed a confederacy, and proceeded to 
open war. 

Q. What were the consequences of this 
dispute ? 

A. John, finding himself almost deserted, met 
his barons at Runnemede, between Staines and 
Windsor, and there signed that famous deed 
called Magna Charta, or the Great Charter, 
which is still regarded as the glorious basis of 
British freedom. 

Q. When did he die 1 

A. John died of a fever in 1216, as he was 
advancing against Louis> the French prince, 
whom the barons had invited over, to pro- 
tect them from the renewed violence of the 
tyrant. 

Q. What was the character of John ? 

A. John was despised for his cowardice, and 
hated for his cruelty ; and his character has 
been justly held up to posterity, as a collection 
of almost every vice that can disgrace human 
nature. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary 
with John % 

A. The contemporaries of John were the 
Popes Innocent III. and Honorius III.; the 

that was calculated to strike with awe the minds of a supersti- 
tious people. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 39 

Emperors Otbo IV. and Frederick I J. of Ger- 
many ; King Philip II. of France ; and Wil- 
liam and Alexander II. of Scotland. 



CHAPTER VI. 
Henry the Third, a. d. 1216—1272. 

Q. Who was Henry III. 1 

A. Henry III. was the son of John, and be- 
ing only nine years of age when he came to 
the tfarone, the earl of Pembroke was chosen 
protector of the realm. 

Q. What character is given of this prince ? 

A. Henry was gentle and humane, but with- 
out activity or vigour ; and as he grew up, he 
showed himself totally unfit to subdue the tur- 
bulence of his nobles. 

Q. What was his principal weakness ? 

A. The chief weakness of this monarch was 
his attachment to foreigners, which excited the 
barons to arms ; and after having forced him 
to renew the Great Charter, they appointed 24 
commissioners to superintend the administra- 
tion of affairs. 

Q. What was the result of these conten- 
tions ] 

% A. In the civil war which ensued, the king 
and his two sons were taken prisoners ; but 



40 CATECHISM OP THE 

Edward the eldest, having made|his escape, de- 
feated the rebels, and restored his father to the 
throne. 

Q. What do you observe of the remainder 
of this reign % 

A. During the absence of his son Edward 
in the Holy Land, the king, worn out with 
age, and the cares of government, expired in 
the 64th year of his age, and the 56th of his 
reign. 

Q. What are the remarkable events of this 
reign % 

A. In the reign of Henry III. the first re- 
gular parliament was assembled, and marriage 
first solemnized in churches. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns? 

A. During the reign of Henry III., Frede- 
rick II. reigned over Germany ; Louis VIII. 
Louis IX. and Philip III. governed France; 
and Alexander II. and Alexander III. reigned 
in Scotland. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Edward the First a. d. 1272—1307. 
Q. What were the first acts of Edward's 
reign ? 
A. Edward I. began his reign by con- 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 41 

firming the great charter, protecting the peo- 
ple against the oppressions of the barons, and 
making strict inquiries into the affairs of the 
state. 

Q. What were the military transactions of 
this reign 1 

A. Edward conquered Wales, and ^gave it 
as a principality to his eldest son ; he also in- 
vaded Scotland, but after taking possession of 
the whole kingdom, William Wallace rescued 
the country from the English yoke, and was 
appointed regent. 

Q What was the result of this war ? 

A. Edward advanced with a powerful army 
and defeated Wallace, who some years after- 
ward was betrayed into his hands, and put 
to death in London, with the most brutal fe- 
rocity. 

Q. What do you observe of the remainder 
of this reign ? 

A. The Scots, having.again revolted, chose 
Robert Bruce for their king, and Edward was 
hastening with an immense force to subdue 
them, when he died of a sudden illness at Car- 
lisle, in the 35th year of his reign, and the 69th 
of his age, A. D. 1307. 

Q. What was the character of this prince? 

A. Edward I, surnamed Longshanks, dis- 
tinguished himself both as a warrior and 
D2 



42 CATECHISM OP THE 

a statesman, enacting many wise statutes 
for the protection of the lower orders of 
the people : he was affable in his manners, 
and was much beloved and respected by his 
subjects. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary with 
Edward I. ? 

A. Edward's contemporaries were Rodolph 
I. Adolphus, and Albert, emperors of Ger- 
many ; Philip III. and IV. kings of France ; 
and Alexander III. John Baliol, and Robert 
Bruce, kings of Scotland. 



CHAPTER VIH. 

Edward the Second, a. p. 1307 — 1327. 

Q. Who succeeded Edward I. ? 

A, Edward I. was succeeded by his son 
Edward II. a miW, gentle, and inoffensive 
prince ; but indolent, debauched, and much 
attached to favourites. 

Q. What are the chief events of this reign 1 

A. Edward lost the battle of Bannock- 
burn, which secured the independence of 
Scotland ; and the remainder of his reign 
was a series of civil commotions, caused by 
his partiality to bis favourites, Gaveston and 
Spencer. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 43 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Edward was seized by the rebel barons, 
at the instigation of his queen Isabella, and 
her paramour Mortimer, and was cast into 
prison, where he was barbarously murdered, 
A- D. 1327, after a turbulent reign of 20 
years. 

Q. Who were his competitors ? 

A. Contemporary with Edward II. were 
Henry VI il. and Louis IV., emperors of Ger- 
many ; Philip IV., Louis X., Philip V., and 
Charles IV., kings of France ; and Robert 
Bruce, king of Scotland. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Edward the Third, a. d. 1327—1377. 

Q. What do you observe of the commence- 
ment of this reign 1 

A. When Edward III. who then- was very 
young, assumed the reins of government, 
Mortimer was hanged, and the queen-dowager 
was confined for life. 

Q. In what wars was he engaged ? 

A. After having obliged the king of Scot- 
land to do him homage, Edward laid claim 
to the crown of France, and having invaded 



44 CATECHISM OP THE 

that country, gained the memorable battles 
of Cressy and Poictiers, in the latter of which 
the Prince of Wales took the French king 
prisoner. 

Q. What are the other events of this reign ? 

A, The king of Scotland having invaded 
England during the absence of Edward, his 
queen Philippa gave the Scots battle, defeated 
them, and captured their king : towards the 
end of this reign, the English lost aril their con- 
quests in France.* 

Q. What was the cause of Edward's death? 

A. Edward is said to have died of melan- 
choly, for the loss of his eldest son, the Prince 
of Wales,| who was universally beloved for 
his bravery and virtues : he expired a. d. 1337, 
in the 65th year of his age, and 51st of his 
reign ; one of the longest and most glorious in 
the annals of England. 

Q. What eminent men lived in this reign ? 

A. In the reign of Edward III. lived Chau- 
cer, the father of English poetry, and Wick- 
liffe, the first Reformer. 

Q. What inventions took place ? 



> * With the exception of the towns of Calais, Bayonne, and 
Bonrdeaux. 

t Surnamed the Black Prince from the colour of his armour. 
After the battle of Cressy, in which the king of Bohemia was 
slain, the Prince of Wales adopte.i his crest, which was three 
ostrich feathers, with his motto, Ich dien, I serve; and his suc- 
cessors have borne this device ever since. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 45 

^ A. In this reign also gold was first coined, 
gunpowder and guns were invented, and the 
order of the Garter was instituted. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sove- 
reigns ? 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with Ed- 
ward III. were, Louis IV. and Charles IV., of 
Germany ; Charles IV., of France, Robert 
Bruce, David II. Edward Baliol, and Robert 
II., the first of the Stuarts. 



S 



CHAPTER X. 

Richard the Second, a. d. 1377—1399. 



Q. Who next ascended the throne? 

A. Edward III. was succeeded by his 
grandson Richard II., who being but eleven 
years of age when he came to the throne was 
placed under the guardianship of his three 
uncles. 

Q. What insurrection took place in the 
early part of this reign ? 

A. An oppression tax having been imposed 
upon the people, 100,000 insurgents, with Wat 
Tyler at their head, assembled at Blackheath, 
where they were met by the king ; but Tyler, 
making his demands in an insolent manner, 



46 CATECHISM OF THE 

was killed, and order restored by the presence j 
of mind of the young king.* 

Q. What was the subsequent conduct of 
the king ? 

A. Richard excited great discontent in 
the nation by his severity and injustice ; so 
that at last the barons took up arms, made the 
king prisoner, and, after havkig tried him, he 
was deposed ; and the Duke of Lancaster, his 
cousin, made king, by the title of Henry IV. 

Q. What was the manner of his death ? 

A. Richard was starved to death in Pomfret- 
castle, in the 34th year of his age, and 23d of 
his reign, A. D. 1399. 

Q. What was the character of this prince? 

A. Richard was fond of idle ostentation and 
luxurious pleasures, and became the dupe of 
worthless favourites, who, taking advantage of 
his weakness and effeminacy, urged him to 
acts of tyranny and oppression. 
_ Q. To what did the disposition of Richard 
give rise ? 

* During the conference, Wat Tyler occasionally lifted up 
his sword in a menacing manner, which so irritated Walworth, 
the mayor of London, that he strack him to the ground with 
his mace, where he was soon despatched by the king's atten- 
dants. The multitude were preparing to revenge the death of 
their leader, when Richard rode up to them, and cried out, 
"What, my people, will you then kill your king? Are you 
concerned for the loss of your leader ? follow me, I myself will 
now be your general." The populace, overawed by his manner, 
followed him into the fields, where they peaceably separated 
upon his granting them a charter for the redress of their griev- 
ances. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 47 

A. The disposition of Richard and the 
usurpation of the Duke of Lancaster, gave rise 
to the contest between the houses of York and 
Lancaster, which, for many years a(.ter, filled 
the kingdom with anarchy and bloodshed. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns ? 

A. The contemporaries of Richard II. were, 
Charles IV. and Wenceslaus, emperors of Ger- 
many ; Charles V., and Charles VI. kings of 
France ; Margaret, queen of Denmark, Nor- 
way, and Sweden ; Robert II. and Robert 
lll.,kings of Scotland. 



48 CATECHISM OF THE 



BOOK IV. 



FROM THE ACCESSION OF HENRY IV. TO TH 
ACCESSION OF HENRY VII. A. D. 1485. 



■ 



CHAPTER I. 

HOUSE OF LANCASTER. 

Henry the Fourth, a. d. 1399—1413. 

Q. Who was Henry IV. ? 

A. Henry IV. was son of John Gaunt duke 
of Lancaster, fourth son of Edward III. 

Q. What were the principal events of this 
reign ? 

A. The only event of note in the reign of 
Henry IV. before his death, became subject 
to fits, with one of which he was seized at his 
devotions before the shrine of Edward the 
Confessor, in Westminster Abbey, and ex- 
pired, in the 46th year of his age, and 13th of 
his reign, A. D. 1413. 

Q. What was his character ? 

A. Henry IV. possessed great military ta- 
lents and political wisdom ; but he lost the 
affection of his subjects by his usurpation and 
the murder of his lawful king. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 49 

Q. What invention took place in this reign? 

A. Cards were invented about this time 

for the amusement of Charles VI. king of 

I France, who, being* subject to frequent fits of 

r insanity, used them during hisintervals of reason. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary 
with Henry IV. ? 

A. The contemporary sovereigns were Wen- 
ceslaus, Robert le Pet, and Sigismund, of Ger- 
many ; Charles VI., of France ; Margaret and 
Eric XIII., of Denmark and Sweden ; and Ro- 
bert III., of Scotland. 



CHAPTER II. 

Henry the Fifth, a. d. 1413—1422, 

Q. What was the conduct of Henry V. be- 
fore he became king 1 

A. Henry V. when Prince of Wales was no- 
torious for all kinds of debauchery, and often 
when heated with wine, accompanied his pro- 
fligate companions in robbing the passengers 
on the highway.* 

* One of his co trip anions having; been brought to trial before 
Sir William Gascoigne, the chief justice, Prince Henry ap- 
peared with him in court, and finding that he was condemned 
notwithstanding his interference, he was so enraged that he 
struck the justice upon the hench, hut Gascoigne, mindful ol the 
dignity of his offie< , ordered the prince to he committed to pri- 
son. "When his father, Henry IV.,UvarOTof this transaction, he 

E 



r 

i 



50 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. What were the first acts of his reign ? 

A. The first measures of Henry after he 
came to the throne were to dismiss his former 
dissolute companions, and to receive the wis 
ministers of his father who had checked his riots, 

Q. What were the principal events of this 
reign ? 

A. Henry invaded France, where he gained 
the celebrated battle of Agincourt: and having 
conquered the whole kingdom, was appointed 
regent and heir to the French monarchy. 

Q. Of what did he die ? 

A. Henry had nearly reached the summit 
of glory, when he was seized with a fistula, 
which terminated his days in the 34th year of 
his age, and the 10th of his reign, A. D. 1422. 

Q. What was the character of this king? 

A. Henry V. far excelled the other princes 
of his age in the arts of war and government^ 
endearing his friends by his engaging manners 3 
and overcoming his enemies by his address and 
clemency. 

Q. Who were Henry's contemporaries 1 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with Hen- 
ry V. were Sigismund, emperor of Germany ; 
Charles VI. king of France ; Eric XI II. of 
Denmark and Sweden ; and Robert III. of 
Scotland. 

exclaimed, " Happy is the king who has a magistrate endowed 
with courage to execute the laws upon such an offender : still 
more happy in having a son willing to submit to such a chas- 
tisement." 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 51 

CHAPTER III. 

Henry the Sixth, a. d. 1422—1471. 

Q. By whom was Henry V. succeeded ? 

A. Henry V. was succeeded by his only son 
Henry VI., who being not yet a year old, the 
government both of England and France was 
intrusted to his uncles the dukes of Bedford 
and Gloucester. 

Q. What took place at the commencement 
of this reign ? 

A. Henry VI., soon after his accession, was 
crowned king of France at Paris, but by de- 
grees the English lost ground in that king- 
dom, and were finally dispossessed of all their 
conquests, through the enthusiasm raised by 
the famous Joan d'Arc, called the Maid of Or- 
leans.* 

Q. What were the other events of this 
reign 1 

A. Henry was very unfortunate in his choice 

* Joan d'Arc was a country girl, who fancied herself de- 
stined by heaven to rescue Franceout of the hands of the Eng- 
lish. Receiving encouragement from the court, she succeeded 
in raising the siege of Orleans, and led the French army from 
victory to victory, till she caused the king to be crowned at 
Rheims; she was, however, shortly after taken and tried for 
sorcery and magic, and being foundguilty, was cruelly burnt to 
death as a sorceress, for having rendered signal services to her 
prince and country. 



52 CATECHISM OF THE 

of ministers, which was the cause of an alarm- 
ing insurrection headed by John Cade ; and 
shortly after its suppression, Richard duke of 
York laid claim to the crown, and raised an 
army to second his pretensions. 

Q, What name was given to this contest ? 

A. The civil wars which followed were 
called the quarrel between the two roses, from 
the symbols of the contending parties, that of 
Lancaster being a red rose, and that of York a 
white one. 

Q. What was the result of these wars ? 

A. After being for a long time successful, the 
duke of York was killed at the battle of Wake- 
field, but his son Edward, assisted by the earl 
of Warwick,* continued the claim, and hav- 
ing routed the king's army was proclaimed 
king. 

Q. What, was the fate of king Henry 1 

A. Henry, after having been detained in pri- 
son nine years, was once more placed on the 
throne by the earl of Warwick ; but his party 
being again overthrown in the battle of Barnet, 
he was confined in the Tower, where he died 
by the hands of Richard duke of Gloucester, 
A. D. J 471. 

Q. What was the character of this prince ? 

A. Henry discovered from his youth marks 

* The earl of Warwick, called the King Maker, was the 
most powerful nobleman in England, and was distinguished by 
his bravery, hospitality, and magnificence. 



HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 53 

of weakness and incapacity, and at times was 
subject to fits of madness ; but his general dis- 
position was pious and humane, and he liberally 
rewarded learning and merit. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns] 
A. The contemporaries of Henry VI. were, Si- 
gismund, Albert II., and Frederick III., empe- 
rors of Germany ; Charles VII. and Louis XL, 
kings of France ; Eric IX., of Denmark and 
Sweden; and Robert I IL, James L, James II., 
and James III., sovereigns of Scotland. 



CHAPTER IV. 

HOUSE OF YORK. 

Edward the Fourth, a. d. 1461—1483. 

Q. Who was Edward IV. ? 

A. Edward IV. was the son of Richard 
duke of York, who, being descended from Li- 
onel, third son of Edward III , had a claim to 
the throne prior to that of the house of Lan- 
caster, who were descended from a younger 
son of the same monarch. 

Q. What difficulties had he to contend with ? 

A. When Edward was elected king by the 
E2 



54 CATECHISM OF THE 

army and by the people of London, the great- 
est part of the kingdom still acknowledged sub- 
jection to Henry VI. ; but after gaining the 
sanguinary victories of Tourton and Hexham, 
his title was recognised by parliament, and qui- 
etly submitted to by the people. 

Q. From what quarter was he again op- 
posed ? 

A. Edward having given cause of offence 
to the earl of Warwick, that nobleman became 
his most inveterate enemy, and espousing the 
cause of the captive Henry, replaced him on 
the throne, and obliged Edward to fly to HoL* 
land. 

Q. Did Edward regain possession of the 
crown 1 

A. Edward returned to England with a few 
troops, and being joined by his partisans, de- 
feated and slew his great opponent in the battle 
of Barnet; and soon after triumphed over queen 
Margaret at Tewkesbury, where that spirited 
princess was made prisoner, together with her 
son Prince Edward.* 

Q. How did he then conduct himself? 



* The young prince being brought before Edward after the 
battle, and being asked by the king how be dared to invade his 
dominions, boldly replied, that he came thither to avenge his fa- 
ther's injuries and to redress his own ; upon which the barba- 
rous monarch struck him upon the mouth wish bis gauntlet, 
and his brothers, hurrying him into an adjoining apartment, 
basely despatched him with their daggers. Richard is said 
also to have murdered King Henry "VI. a few days after in 
prison. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 55 

A. Edward exercised horrible cruelties 
upon his enemies, and even put his brother 
the Duke of Clarence to death ; at the same 
time abandoning himself to riot and debauchery, 
which brought him to an untimely end, in the 
42d year of his age, and the 23d of his reign, 
A. D. 1483. 

Q. How many children had he ? 

A. Edward IV. left two sons, Edward Prince 
of Wales, then in his 13th year, and Richard 
Duke of York, in his ninth ; besides five daugh- 
ters. 

Q. What useful discovery was introduced 
into England during this reign ? 

A. While the country was distracted by civil 
commotions, the art of printing was introduced 
at London, by William Caxton, a merchant, in 
1471, and from that period the English made 
a more rapid progress in literature than any 
other nation of Europe. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns? 

A. Frederick 11. of Germany ; Mahomet 
II. first emperor of the Turks ; Louis IX. of 
France; Christian I. of Denmark and Swe- 
den ; and James III. of Scotland. 



56 CATECHISM OF THE 

CHAPTER V. 

Edward the Fifth, a. d. 1483. 

Q. In whom was the government of the 
kingdom vested during the king's minority ? 

A. Edward V. being but thirteen years of 
age at his accession, was put under the charge 
of the Duke of Rivers ; and his uncle, Richard 
Duke of Gloucester, was declared Protector. 

Q. How did he conduct himself in that office? 

A. Gloucester was no sooner invested with 
the protectorate than he got the young king 
and his brother into his power, put to death 
the lords Rivers and Hastings, and by the as- 
sistance of the Duke of Buckingham, usurped 
the crown. 

Q. What followed his usurpation ? 

A. In order to secure his ill-gotten power, 
Richard ordered the two princes to be assassi- 
nated, and they were accordingly suffocated 
with the bolster and pillows as they lay asleep 
in the Tower, only a few months after their fa- 
ther's death, a. n. 1483. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Richard the Third, a. d. 1 483— 1484. 

Q. What were the first acts of Richard's 
administration ? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 57 

A. Richard sought to establish his authority 
by bestowing rewards on those who had as- 
sisted him in his usurpation ; but the Duke of 
Buckingham, disgusted at some neglect, deter- 
mined to depose him, and to advance Henry 
Earl of Richmond in his place. 

Q. Was he successful in his attempt ? 

A. Buckingham's intentions being prema- 
turely discovered, and his army abandoning 
him, he was betrayed into the hands of the 
king by his own servant, and beheaded at Salis- 
bury, without even the form of a trial. 

Q. Did Richmond still prosecute his de- 
sign ? 

A. Richmond landed at Mil ford-haven in 
Wales with only 2000 men, but being joined 
by a considerable number of the English, he 
advanced to give Richard battle. 

Q. What was the issue of the contest ? 

A. The two armies met at Bos worth-field 
in Leicestershire, and Richard performed pro- 
digies of valour, but Lord Stanley having de 
serted him with 7000 men, he was defeated and 
slain ; and Richmond was saluted by the title 
of Henry VII. 

Q. What was the character of Richard III.? 

A. Richard was possessed of great abilities, 
personal courage, and military talents, but was 
subtle, cruel, and vindictive. 



55 CATECHISM OP THE 



BOOK V. 

FROM THE ACCESSION OF HENRY VII. TO THE 
BEHEADING OF CHARLES I. A. D. 1649. 



CHAPTER I. 

HOUSE OF TUDOR. 

Henry the Seventh, a. d. 1485 — 1509. 

Q. Who was Henry VII.? 

A. Henry VII. was descended by his mo- 
ther's side from the house of Lancaster ; and 
soon after his accession, by espousing Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Edward IV. he united the 
right of the house of York to his own. 

Q. Was his claim quietly acceded to ? 

A. Henry's tranquillity was for several years 
disturbed by two impostors, Lambert Simnel, 
who personated the Earl of Warwick, and 
Perkin Warbeck, who pretended to be the 
Duke of York, who was murdered in the Tower 
with his brother Edward V. 

Q. What do you remark of his subsequent 
government ? 

A. After frustrating the designs of his ene- 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 59 

mies, and restoring tranquillity, Henry hum- 
bled the power of the barons, and enacted 
many useful laws for the encouragement of 
trade and navigation, and for securing the hap- 
piness of his people. 

Q. How long did he reign ? 

A. Henry VII. reigned 23 years, and died 
of the gout in 1509, in the 52d year of his age. 

Q. What was the character of this prince ? 

A. Henry VII. was a wise prince, but jea- 
lous of his authority ; his principal weakness 
was his too great love of money, to gratify 
which, his ministers, Empson and Dudley, 
were often guilty of arbitrary measures. 

Q. What important discovery was made in 
this reign ? 

A. Christopher Columbus, a native of Ge- 
noa, in the service of Spain, first discovered 
America, and landed on one of the Bahama 
Islands, Oct. 12, 1492, to which he gave the 
name of San Salvador — but Sebastian Cabot, 
a native of Bristol, first discovered the north- 
ern continent in 1498. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns ? 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with Henry 
were, Frederick III. and Maximilian I. empe- 
rors of Germany ; Bajazet II. emperor of the 
Turks; Ferdinand and Isabella, Catholic sove- 
reigns of Spain; Charles VIII. and Louis 
XII. kings of France ; John, king of Denmark 



60 CATECHISM OF THE 

and Sweden ; and James III. and James IV. 
of Scotland. 



CHAPTER II. 

Henry the Eighth, a. d. 1509—1547. 

Q. What was the conduct of Henry on 
his accession ? 

A. Henry VIII. succeeded to. the crown in 
the 18th year of his age ; and having chosen 
Thomas Wolsey as his chief minister, he began 
to dissipate, in amusement, the great treasures 
amassed by his father. 

Q. How many wives had he ? 

A. Henry had six wives ; the first was Ca- 
tharine, his brother's widow, whom he di- 
vorced ; the second, Anne Boleyne, who was 
beheaded ; the third, Jane Seymour, mother of 
Edward VI. ; the fourth, Anne of Cleves, 
whom he divorced ; the fifth, Catharine How- 
ard, whom he beheaded, and the sixth, Catha- 
rine Parr, who survived him. 

T. Reiate the most remarkable events of 
this reign. 

P. Henry VIII. quarrelled with the Pope, 
and took upon hiinsell the title of Supreme 
Head ot the Church: he also abolished the 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 61 

monasteries, seized their revenues, but in point 
of doctrine retained the Romish faith. 
' Q. What were the military transactions of 
this reign ? 

A. Henry invaded France, but did not fol- 
low up his successes ; at his return the Scots 
were defeated at Flodden-field, with the loss 
of their king, and the flower of the nobility. 

Q. How long did this king reign 1 

A. Henry VIII. died in the 88th year of 
his reign, and the 56th of his age, A. D. 
1547. 

Q. What was the character of this prince ? 

A. Henry VIII. was tall and handsome in 
his person, but he must be detested in his 
character as an unfeeling and licentious ty- 
rant. 

Q. What eminent men lived in his reign ? 

A. The most distinguished characters were 
Cardinal Wolsey, for a long time the king's 
favourite, but who died in disgrace ; Sir Tho- 
mas More, Lord Chancellor, who was beheaded 
for denying the king's supremacy ; and in Sax- 
ony, Martin Luther, who preached the doctrine 
of the Reformation. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns ? 

A. Contemporary with Henry VIII. were 

Charles V. emperor of Germany and king of 

Spain ; Louis XII. and Francis I. kings of 

France ; Gustavus Vasa, liberator and king of 

F 



62 CATECHISM OF THE 

Sweden; and James IV., James V., and Mary, 
sovereigns of Scotland. 



CHAPTER III. 

Edward the Sixth, a. d. 1547—1553. 

Q. Who was Edward VI. ? 

A. Edward VI. was the only son of Henry 
VIII. by Jane Seymour, his third wife. Being 
but nine years of age when his father died, the 
Duke of Somerset, his maternal uncle, was* 
chosen protector. 

Q K What were the chief events of this 
reign ? 

A. The principal events of Edward's reign 
were the completion of the Reformation, and 
the defeat of the Scots near Musselburgh, in 
which 10,000 of them were killed. 

Q. What change did he make in the suc- 
cession ? 

A. Edward being in a declining state of 
health, was persuaded by the intrigues of the 
new protector, the Duke of Northumber- 
land, to appoint as his successor Lady Jane 
Grey, thus excluding his sisters Mary and 
Elizabeth, together with Mary, Queen of Scot- 
land. 

Q. What was the consequence of this act 1 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 63 

A. Edward dying shortly after, Northum- 
berland caused Lady Jane to be proclaimed 
queen ; but the nation acknowledged the title 
of Mary, and Lady Jane was confined in the 
Tower, after enjoying the sovereign power 
only ten days. 

Q, How long did Edward reign, and what 
was his character ? 

A. Edward died in the 16th year of his 
age, and the seventh of his reign He was 
a very amiable, esteemed, and pious youth, 
aiad his loss was much lamented by the na- 
tion. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary with 
Edward VI. ? 

A. Edward's contemporaries were, Charles 
V. emperor of Germany and king of Spain ; 
Henry II. king of France ; and Mary, queen 
of Scotland. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Mary. a. d. 1553—1558. 

Q. Who was Queen Mary ? 

A. Mary was the daughter of Henry VIII. 
by his first wife, Catharine of Aragon. 

Q. What were the first acts of her reign ? 

A. Mary, being a papist, began her reign by 
re-establishing that religion, and persecuting 



64 CATECHISM OP THE 

the protestants, great numbers of whom were 
burned as heretics. 

Q. Who were the principal victims of* this 
persecution ? 

A. Among those who were burned alive 
for their religion, were Cranmer, Archbishop 
of Canterbury, Latimer, Ridley, and two 
other bishops ; Rodgers, Saunders, and Tay- 
lor, eminent clergymen, with many others, 
all of whom suffered with astonishing forti- 
tude. 

Q. What other occurrences are worthy of 
notice ? 

A. The marriage of Mary to Philip, king 
of Spain, occasioned an insurrection, headed 
by Sir Thomas Wyat : it was, however, 
easily suppressed, but Mary took this op- 
portunity of bringing to the scaffold Lady 
Jane Grey, and her husband Lord Guilford 
Dudley. 

Q. What event accelerated the death of the 
queen ? 

A. Mary is said to have died of a broken 
heart at the loss of Calais,* in the 43d year 
of her age, and the sixth of her reign, A. D. 
1558. 

* Calais had been in the possession of the English upwards 
of 200 years, and was all that remained to them of their exten- 
sive possessions and conquests. It was taken by the French 
in eight days, although it had cost Edward III. a siege of 11 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 65 

Q. What was her character? 

A. Mary was naturally cruel, and extremely 
bigoted ; her only virtue was sincerity, and 
her vices obstinacy, tyranny, and revenge. 



CHAPTER V. 

Elizabeth, a. d. 1558—1603. 

Q. Who was Queen Elizabeth ? 

A. Elizabeth was daughter of Henry VIII. 
by Anne Boleyne, his second wife, and as- 
cended the throne in the 25th year of her age, 
amid the acclamations of the nation. 

Q. How did she begin her reign ? 

A. Elizabeth, upon coming to the throne, 
immediately restored the protestant religion 
nearly in the same form which we have at pre- 
sent the happiness to enjoy. 

T. Describe the chief event of her reign. 

P. In this reign the Spaniards prepared 
to invade England with a powerful fleet which 
they styled " the Invincible Armada ;" but on 
its approach to the English shores, it was de- 
feated, chiefly by the exertions of Sir Francis 
Drake. 

Q. What severities tarnished the reign of 
Elizabeth ? 

F2 



66 CATECHISM OP THE 

A. The greatest stain upon the character of 
Elizabeth is, her putting to death, after a long 
and ungenerous confinement, Mary Queen of 
Scots, celebrated for her beauty and her mis- 
fortunes. 

Q. What was the cause of Elizabeth's 
death ? 

A. Elizabeth died soon after the execu- 
tion of her favourite, the Earl of Essex, 
which she had ordered in a moment of resent- 
ment. 

Q. How long did she reign ? 

A. Elizabeth died in the 70th year of her age, 
and the 45th of her reign, A. D. 1603. 

Q. What was the character of Elizabeth? 
- A. Elizabeth possessed eminent talents for 
government, and was happy in her choice 
of ministers ; she was distinguished for vigour 
and penetration ; but towards the latter part 
of her reign, she became haughty and des- 
potic. 

Q. What do you observe of her reign ? 

A. During the time of Elizabeth, the Eng- 
lish nation made astonishing progress in arts, 
commerce, and literature ; they became indus- 
trious, polite, and powerful, secure at home, 
and formidable 'abroad. 

Q. What eminent men lived at this pe- 
riod ? 

A. In the reign of Elizabeth, lived the 
immortal Shakspeare ; Edmund Spenser, 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 67 

a celebrated poet ; the admirable Crichton ; 
and Cecil and Burleigh, two eminent statesmen. 

Q. What else is worthy of notice? 

A. In 1589, coaches were first introduced 
into England, and soon after watches were 
brought over from Germany ; in this reign also 
Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishman that 
sailed round the world. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary with 
Elizabeth 1 

A. During the reign of Elizabeth, Germany 
was governed by the emperors Ferdinand I., 
Maximilian II., and Rodolphus II. ; France by 
Henry II., Francis II., Charles IX., Henry III., 
and Henry IV. ; Spain and Portugal by Philip 
II. and Philip ill. ; and Scotland by Mary and 
James VI. 



CHAPTER VI. 

HOUSE OF STEWART. 

James the First, a. d. 1G03— 1625. 

Q. Who was James I. 

A. James I. was the son of the unfortunate 
' ary Queen of Scots, and succeeded to the 
crown in consequence of the will of the late 
queen, joined to his claim of hereditary right, 
as next in descent from Henry VII. 



68 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. What remarkable event happened in this 
reign ? 

A. The commencement of the reign of 
James I. was distinguished by the discovery 
and defeat of the gunpowder plot. 
Q. What was the gunpowder plot ] 
A. The gunpowder plot was a scheme 
of the Roman Catholics, to blow up the king, 
and the two houses of parliament ; but it was 
happily discovered by the sagacity of the mo- 
narch, and the conspirators put to death. 

Q. What do you remark of the conduct of 
James I. ? 

A. James I. is much blamed for his partiality 
to favourites, and to the interest of the court of 
Spain, to which he sacrificed the brave Sir Wal- 
ter Raleigh, who was beheaded for having com- 
mitted hostilities on the Spanish settlements. 
Q. How long did he reign ? 
A. James 1. died in 1625, in the 59th year 
of his age, and the 22d of his reign over Eng- 
land : his reign over Scotland was almost of 
equal duration with his life, he having been 
crowned when only a year old. 
Q. What were his merits 1 
A. James I. was remarkable for his great 
generosity, a pacific disposition, and the en- 
couragement of arts and literature ; but he en- 
croached on the liberties of the people, and by 
that means laid the foundation of civil war. 
Q. What eminent men lived in this reign ? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 69 

A. During the reign of James lived Sir Wal- 
ter Raleigh, an illustrious navigator and histo- 
rian; Camden, the historian ; Lord Chancellor 
Bacon, called the father of experimental phi- 
losophy; and Ben Jonson, a celebrated dra- 
matic writer. 

Q. What discoveries were made in this reign ? 

A. In 1619, Dr. Harvey discovered the cir- 
culation of the blood ; and about the same 
time died Baron Napier, of Scotland, who in- 
vented the logarithms : in this reign also the 
present version of the Bible was published by 
royal authority. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns ? 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with James 
I. were, Rodolphus II., Matthias I., and Ferdi- 
nand II., emperors of Germany; Henry IV. and 
Louis XII., kings of France ; Philip III. and 
Philip IV., sovereigns of Spain and Portugal. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Charles the First, a. d. 1625—1649, 

Q. What are the principal features of this 
reign ? 

A. The reign of Charles I. is remarkable for 
the civil war which took place between him 
and the parliament. 



70 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. What was the cause of this war 1 

A. The civil war was chiefly caused by the 
attempts of the king, inheriting his father's no- 
tions of the royal prerogative, to raise taxes and 
levy money upon the people without the au- 
thority of parliament. 

T. Name those who distinguished themselves 
at this period. 

P. Amonsr the chief instigators and con- 
doctors of the civil war, were Hampden, John 
Pym, General Fairfax, Ireton, Monk,and Oliver 
Cromwell. 

Q. What was the result of this contest ? 

A. After fighting several battles with various 
success, Charles was totally defeated, and hav- 
ing given himself up to the Scotch army he was 
delivered over to the parliament, who beheaded 
him on the 30th of January, 1649, in the 49th 
year of his age, and the 24th of his reign. 

Q. What was the character of this prince 1 

A. Charles I. had many virtues and accom- 
plishmentSjbuthepermittedhimself tobe guided 
by ministers who advised those arbitrary mea- 
sures which finally brought him to the block. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary with 
Charles I.? 

A. The contemporaries of Charles I. were, 
Ferdinand II. and Ferdinand III., emperors of 
Germany; Louis XIII. and Louis XIV., kings 
of France ; Philip IV., of Spain ; and John IV., 
of Portugal. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 71 



BOOK VI. 



FROM THE FORMATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH, 
TO THE ACCESSION OF THE HOUSE OF BRUNS- 
WICK, A. D. 1714. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE COMMONWEALTH. 

Oliver Cromwell, Protector, a. d. 1654 — 1658. 

Q. What form of government was esta- 
blished after the king's death ? 

A. Upon the death of Charles, the house of 
commons abolished the regal power, and de- 
clared the house of lords useless : the com- 
monwealth was proclaimed, and the king's name 
changed to that of the Keepers of the Liberties 
of England. 

Q. Did the parliament maintain with energy 
the superiority of England ? 

A. The troops of the commonwealth under 
Oliver Cromwell reduced Scotland and Ireland, 
while Admiral Blake subdued the settlements 



72 CATECHISM OF THE 

in America, and spread the terror of the Eng- 
lish name by sea to every quarter of the 
globe. 

Q. What change took place in the govern- 
ment 1 

A. Cromwell, having encouraged a dispute 
between the army and the house of commons, 
dissolved that assembly with an armed force, 
and caused himself to be declared Lord 
Protector of the commonwealth of England. 

Q. What do you observe of Cromwell's ad- 
ministration 1 

A. Cromwell humbled the power of Hol- 
land and Spain, and maintained the national 
honour in foreign countries ; while England 
was improving both in riches and in power. 

Q. When did he die 1 

A. For some time before his death, Crom- 
well was subject to a perpetual disquietude ; 
and after a most comfortless usurpation, he died, 
A. D. 1658, in the 60th year of his age, and 
the 5th of his protectorship. 

Q. What character is given of Crom- 
well ? 

A. Oliver Cromwell was a man of consider- 
able genius and capacity, and possessed great 
courage, ambition, and hypocrisy. 

Q. By whom was he succeeded 1 

A. On the death of Oliver Cromwell his 
son Richard peaceably assumed the pro- 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 73 

tectorship ; but as he wanted ambition, and 
did not possess the confidence of the army, 
he resigned his power at the end of three 
months. 

Q. What measures were now taken by the 
army? 

A. Richard having abdicated the protec- 
torship, General Monk assembled a free par- 
liament, and proposed the restoration of the 
royal family, which meeting with the approba- 
tion of the people, Charles II. was recalled 
after an exile of twelve years. 



CHAPTER II. 

Charles the Second, a. d. 1661 — 1685, 
Q. What was the first act of Charles's 



reign 1 



A. Charles II. made his public entry into 
London on the 29th May, 1660, amid the ac- 
clamations of the people ; and one of his first 
measures was to pass an act of general indem- 
nity for all that had taken place. 

Q. What were the principal occurrences 
of this reign ? 

A. Charles exiled his virtuous minister 

the earl of Clarendon, and having chosen 

men who did not enjoy the confidence of the 

people, several real or imaginary plots were 

G- 



74 CATECHISM OF THE 

formed, which cost Lord Russel, Algernon Sid- 
ney, and others, their lives. 

Q. What other events do you notice ? 

A. In 1665 a plague raged throughout Eng- 
land, and the year after the great fire of Lon- 
don consumed 13,000 houses ; the Dutch also 
sailed up the Med way and destroyed several 
ships of war at Chatham. 

Q. When did he die ? 

A. Charles died on the 6th of February, 
1685, in the 55th year of his age ; he left no 
children by his wife Catharine, Infanta of 
Portugal ; and was succeeded by his brother 
James. 

Q. What was the character of this prince ? 

A. Charles II. possessed an agreeable per- 
son and manners ; but he was indolent, fond 
of pleasure, and little attached to the glory of 
England. 

Q. What eminent men lived at this time ? 

A. In the reign of Charles II. lived the 
poets Milton and Butler ; the Earl of Cla- 
rendon and Algernon Sidney, eminent politi- 
cians ; and Thomas Otway, a writer of tra- 
gedies. 

Q. What else is worthy of notice ? 

A. Charles II. established the Royal So- 
ciety, and acceded to the Habeas Corpus act ; 
in his reign also tea was first used in England. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns ? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 75 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with 
Charles II. were, Leopold, emperor of Ger- 
many ; Louis XIV. king of France ; Philip IV. 
and Charles II. of Spain ; and Charles XI. of 
Sweden. 



CHAPTER III. 

James the Second, a. d. 1685 — 1688. 

Q. Who next ascended the throne? 

A. James, Duke of York, brother to the 
late king, now came to the throne ; and having 
been bred a papist, he openly favoured that 
religion. 

Q. What was the result? 

A. The Duke of Monmouth excited a re- 
bellion under pretext of preserving the pro- 
testant religion : but being defeated, he was 
beheaded with many of his followers. 

Q. What were the other events of this reign. 

A. James used the most arbitrary measures 
to introduce popery, so that the people ap- 
plied for relief to William, Prince of Orange, 
who landed at Torbay on the 5th of Novem- 
ber, 1 688, with about 1 3,000 men. 

Q. How was he received by the English 1 

A. The whole country soon flocked to the 
standard of William ; and James, finding him- 



76 CATECHISM OF THE 

self deserted by his friends, and even his chil- 
dren, retired to France, where he died A. D. 
1701. 

Q. On whom was the succession of the 
crown settled. 

A. James having deserted the throne, the 
Prince and Princess of Orange were declared 
by parliament joint sovereigns, by the names 
cf William and Mary. 

Q. What name is given to this event, and 
what were its consequences ? 

A. This event is called the Revolution : by 
it all disputed points between the king and peo- 
ple were determined ; the power of the king 
was diminished, and many valuable privileges 
were obtained for the people* 



CHAPTER. IV. 

William and Mary. a. d. 1688—1702. 

Q. Who was William III.? 

A. William III., son of William, Prince of 
Orange, and of Henrietta, daughter of Charles 
I., was born in Holland, and was married to 
Mary, daughter of James III. 

Q. What were the principal events of his 
reign 'I 

A. James having returned from France, 
and raised an army in Ireland, William, de- 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 77 

feated him in the memorable battle of the 
Boyne ; a powerful French fleet which was 
coming to invade England was also entirely 
destroyed. 

Q. What minor occurrences do you notice 
in this reign ? 

A. In the reign of William III. the Bank of 
England was established, and the first public 
lottery was drawn. 

Q. What was the cause of William's death 1 

A. William died in consequence of a fall 
from his horse, March 8, 1702, in the 52d year 
of his age, and the 14th of his reign: Queen 
Mary had died before him, of the small pox, 
without children. * 

Q. What was the character of William 1 

A. William was possessed of talents and 
personal bravery, but his manners were cold 
and forbidding ; the great object of his ambi- 
tion during his life was to humble the power 
of Louis XIV. of France. 

Q. What eminent men flourished during this 
reign? 

A. In the reign of William III. lived Dry- 
den Tillotson, Locke, and Sir Isaac Newton. 

Q. What sovereigns were contemporary 
with William III.? 

A. Doing the reign of William III., Leo- 
pold ruled in Germany : Louis XIV. in 
France ; Charles II. and Philip V. in Spain 
G2 



78 CATECHISM OF THE 

and Portugal ; Charles XII. in Sweden : and 
Peter the Great in Russia. 



CHAPTER V. 

Anne. a. d. 1702—1714. 

Q. Who was Queen Anne ? 

A. Queen Anne was the second daughter of 
James II., and was married to Prince George 
of Denmark. 

Q. What were the most memorable events 
of her reign ? 

A. During the reign of Anne, the honour of 
the British arms was carried to a great height, 
by the Duke ol Marlborough, who humbled the 
power of France in the glorious battles of 
Blenheim, Ramilies, &c. 

Q. What other transactions deserve no- 
tice ? 

A. In this reign also Gibraltar was taken by 
Sir George Rooke, and in 1706 the union be- 
tween England and Scotland was effected. 

Q. To what cause is the queen's death at- 
tributed ? 

A. Towards the end of Queen Anne's 
reign, the disputes between the Whig and 
Tory parties had such an effect upon her 
spirits and constitution, that she sunk into a 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 79 

lethargy, of which she died in the 50th year 
of her age, and the 13th of her reign, A. D. 
1714. 

Q. What was the character of this prin- 
cess? 

A. Queen Anne possessed many excellent 
qualities ; and the people dignified her with the 
title of the Good Queen Jlnne s on account of 
her piety and extensive charities. 

Q. Who were the most eminent personages 
of her reign ? 

A. The reign of Queen Anne is remark- 
able for the number of literary geniuses it pro- 
duced : among the most celebrated were Addi- 
son, Pope, Steele, Swift, Gay, Congreve, 
Rowe, Prior, and Bolingbroke. 

Q. Who were the contemporaries of Anne? 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with Anne 
were, Leopold, Joseph L, and Charles VI., em- 
perors of Germany ; Louis XIV. king of 
France; Philip I. of Spain; Charles XII. of 
Sweden ; and Frederick, the first king of 
Prussia. 



80 CATECHISM OF THE 



BOOK VII. 

FROM THE ACCESSION OF THE HOUSE OF 
BRUNSWICK TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



CHAPTER I. 

George the First, a. d. 1714 — 1727. 

Q. Who was George I. ? 

A. George I. was duke of Brunswick and 
elector of Hanover ; he succeeded as the next 
protestant heir, his mother Sophia having been 
granddaughter of James I. 

Q. What rebellion took place in this reign ? 

A. About a year after the king's accession, 
the Pretender, son of James 11 , raised a re- 
bellion in Scotland and England, which, though 
easily suppressed, proved fatal to many noble- 
men who had espoused his cause. 

Q. What were the consequences of this re- 
bellion ? 

A. In consequence of the disturbed state of 
the nation after this rebellion, the parliament, 
which before was renewed every three years, 
voted a continuance of their duration from 
three to seven years. 

Q. What event distinguished the year 1720 ? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 81 

A. The year 1720 was rendered remark- 
able by the fraud practised on the nation by the 
directors of the South Sea Company, which 
involved many thousands of families in ruin. 

Q. What distinguished trials took place in 
this reign ? 

A. In 1722, Atterbury, Bishop of Roches- 
ter, was deprived of his see and banished for 
high-treason : the Earl of Macclesfield, Lord 
Chancellor, was also tried and severely fined 
for fraudulent practices. 

Q. Where did the king's death take place ? 

A. King George* having crossed the sea to 
visit Hanover, died suddenly at Osnaburg, on 
the 11th of June, 1727, in the 68th year of 
his age, and the 13th of his reign. 

Q. What was the character of this prince ? 

A. George I. was distinguished for firmness 
and political sagacity, but inclined to party 
spirit, and much attached to his continental 
possession. 

Q. What celebrated men died in this reign ? 

A. In the resign of George I. died Sir Chris- 
topher Wren, an eminent architect, and Sir 
Godfrey Kneller, a great painter. 

Q. What important discovery was then 
made ? 

A. In 1727 inoculation for the small-pox 
was first tried with success on two criminals, 
who in consequence received their pardon. 



82 CATECHISM OF THE 

CHAPTER II. 

George the Second, a. d. 1727—1760. 

Q. Who succeeded George 1.? 

A. George I. was succeeded by his son 
George II. who was proclaimed King of Great 
Britain on the 15th of June, 1727. 

Q. What do you observe of the commence- 
ment of this reign ? 

A. The beginning of this reign was distin- 
guished by the debates in parliament on seve- 
ral measures of Sir R. Walpole, prime minis- 
ter ; and Frederick Prince of Wales,* who 
placed himself at the head of the opposition, 
and Walpole retired from power. 

Q. What naval enterprises took place about 
this time ? 

A. In a war with Spain, Admiral Vernon 
took and destroyed Porto Bello, and Lord An- 
son, in bis voyage round the world, cap- 
tured a large Spanish galleon loaded with trea- 
sure. 

T. Describe the rebellion of 1745. 

P. The young Pretender, grandson of 
James II., raised a rebellion in Scotland, and 
having defeated the king's troops at Preston 
Pans, he advanced as far as Derby, but was 

* Frederick, Prince of Wales, was father of George III., and 
died in 1751, universally lamented by the nation. He lived for 
many years at variance with his father, but was afterward re- 
conciled to him. 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 83 

soon after totally routed at Culloden by the 
Duke of Cumberland. 

Q. What was the success of the war against 
France ? 

A. During the war with France, which be- 
gan in 1755, Colonel Clive established our em- 
pire in the East hidies, and several West India 
islands were taken ; but Admiral Byng having 
failed in relieving Majorca, on his return, was 
shot at Portsmouth. 

Q. What were our other conquests ? 

A. During the year 1758, the English sub- 
jected all Canada and the other French pos- 
sessions in North America ; but they lost the 
gallant General Wolfe, who gloriously fell in 
the moment of victory. 

Q. What was the success of the British 
arms in Europe ? 

A. The French, having invaded the British 
possessions in Germany, were defeated in the 
memorable battle of Minden ; while two of 
their fleets were destroyed by Admirals Bos- 
cawen and Hawke. 

Q. What do you remark of the king's death? 

A. While the British arms were prosperous 
in every quarter of the globe, George II. was 
seized with a sudden illness, of which he died, 
October 25, 1760, in the 33d year of his reign, 
and the 77th of his age. 

Q. What was the character of this prince ? 



84 CATECHISM OF THE 

A. George II. was not possessed of shining 
abilities, and is said to have been violent in his 
temper ; but, on the other hand, was brave, ge- 
nerous, and sincere. 

Q. What eminent men flourished in this 
reign ? 

A. In the reign of George II. lived Young, 
Grey, Sterne, Hume, Sir R. Walpole, and the 
celebrated statesman William Pitt, Earl of 
Chatham. 

Q. What incidents are worthy of mention ? 

A. The winter of 1740 was so severe, that 
the river Thames was frozen, and a fair held 
on the ice : in 1756 the nabob of Bengal con- 
fined 146 Englishmen in the black-hole, at Cal- 
cutta, of whom 123 were found dead in the 
morning. 

Q. Who were the contemporary sovereigns ? 

A. The sovereigns contemporary with George 
II, were, Charles VII,, and Francis I., empe- 
rors of Germany ; Louis XV,, king of France ; 
Philip V., Ferdinand VI., and Charles III., of 
Spain ; and Frederick II. and Frederick III., 
of Prussia. 



HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 35 

CHAPTER III. 

George the Third. 

Q. Who succeeded George II. ? 

A. George II. was succeeded by his grand- 
son, George III., eldest son of Frederick, late 
Prince of Wales. 

T. Describe the occurrences of the new 
reign. 

P. The contest with France was still car- 
ried on with success, and in the war with 
Spain, which followed soon after, Havana, 
the capital of Cuba, was taken, and a register 
ship, worth a million sterling, was captured by 
two frigates. 

Q. What changes took place in the admi- 
nistration ? 

A. Soon after the king's accession, Mr. 
Pitt, afterward Earl of Chatham, resigned his 
office of prime minister, and was succeeded 
by the Duke of Newcastle, who, in 1762, made 
way for the Earl of Bute, the king's tutor, 
under whom a peace was concluded with 
France in 1763. 

Q. What circumstance agitated ? the nation 
at the commencement of this reign ? 

A. Mr. Wilkes, a member of parliament, 
involved himself in a contest with the court, 
which excited a flame throughout the kingdom. 
H 



86 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. What measures gave rise to the Ameri- 
can war ? 

A. Lord Bute having resigned, Mr. Gren- 
ville was appointed prime minister, and ad- 
vised the king to impose taxes on the British 
colonies of North America. 

Q. What consequences ensued ? 

A. The colonies resisted, and after a seven 
years' war, were acknowledged free and inde- 
pendent states. 

Q. What changes of ministry took place in 
consequence 1 

A. Lord North, who had conducted the 
American war, was succeeded by the Marquis 
of Rockingham, Lord Shelbourne, and Mr. 
Fox ; but the latter soon made way for Mr. 
Pitt, son of the late Earl of Chatham. 

Q. What other important events occurred 
about this time ? 

A. In 1780 great riots happened in London, 
in consequence of some indulgences granted 
to the Roman Catholics : and in 1782 Admi- 
ral Rodney obtained a signal victory over the 
French fleet. 

Q. What events distinguished the year 
1788? 

A. In 1788, his majesty was seized with a 
mental disorder, which rendered him unfit for 
the exercise of his high functions ; but he 
recovered before a bill of regency was com- 
pleted', the celebrated trial of Warren Has- 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 87 

tings, also took place before the House of 
Peers. 

Q. What memorable event happened about 
the same period upon the continent ? 

A. In 1789 began the memorable Revolu- 
tion in Fiance, which deluged that kingdom 
with blood, changed the form of government 
into a republic, and finally brought Louis XVI. 
to the scaffold. 

Q. What were the consequences of this 
event ? 

A. In 1793, the French convention com- 
menced war against England, which lasted 
till 18U2, during which several victories were 
obtained over the French and their allies, by> 
Admirals Howe, St. Vincent, Duncan, and 
Nelson. 

Q. What expeditions were undertaken to 
check the progress of the French ? 

A. In 1799, the Duke of York conducted 
an expedition against Holland : and the 
French were expelled from Egypt, which 
they had conquered, by General Abercrom- 
bie, who gloriously fell in the battle of Alex- 
andria. 

Q. What events do you notice connected 
with Ireland 1 

A. A dreadful rebellion took place in Ire- 
land, in 179S, which was not quelled without 
much bloodshed; and in 1801, the kingdom 
was united to Great Britain. 



88 CATECHISM OF THE 

Q. How long did the peace continue ? 

A. The peace of 1802 lasted only a year, 
owing to the restless spirit of Napoleon 
Buonaparte, who got himself appointed First 
Consul, and shortly after Emperor of France. 

Q. What important victory was obtained in 
the early part of this war ? 

A. On the 21st of October, 1805, Lord 
Nelson obtained a glorious victory over the 
combined fleets of France and Spain, off Cape 
Trafalagar ; but the gallant admiral was killed 
in the action, to the inexpressible grief of the 
whole nation. 

Q. What other events are worthy of no- 
tice 1 

A. In 1806 the Cape of Good Hope was 
taken : and in the succeeding year Copen- 
hagen was bombarded, and the whole of the 
Danish navy surrendered to the English : the 
slave trade was also finally abolished. 

A. In what contests did England engage to 
check the progress of the French ? 

A. The French having taken military oc- 
cupation of the kingdoms of Spain and Por- 
tugal, the inhabitants solicited the protection 
of the English, who sent over a large body of 
men under Sir Arthur Wellesley, now Duke 
of Wellington. 

Q. What was the success of this war ? 

A. In 1810 the French army evacuated 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 89 

Portugal, and in fts retreat through Spain was 
defeated at Talavera, Salamanca, and Vittoria ; 
in 1812 it was finally pursued into France, and 
again defeated before Toulouse. 

T. Describe the military occurrences in the 
other parts of the world. 

P. In 1809 the English sent out a con- 
siderable expedition to Walchcren, which 
ended very disastrously : but they were suc- 
cessful in other parts of the globe, and in 
the next year the French were deprivedjof their 
last possessions in the East and West Indies. 
Q. What events happened in England 
worthy of record ? 

A. The Prince of Wales was appointed 
Regent, in consequence of the king's incapa- 
city ; and Mr. Perceval, the prime minister, 
was shot, at the entrance of the House of 
Commons. 

T. Relate the circumstances that led to the 
peace of 1814. 

P. Buonaparte invaded Russia with an army 
of 600,000 men, and reached Moscow ; but 
being obliged to retreat, the severity of the 
climate, and the attacks of the Russians almost 
annihilated his army. 

Q. What were the consequences of this dis- 
astrous expedition ? 

A. Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and 
Prussia concluded an alliance, engaging to 
H2 



90 CATECHISM OF THE 

bring into the field a military force sufficient 
to crush the dangerous power of France, and 
to restore the independence of the European 
states. 

Q. What was the success of this confede- 
ration ? 

A. After defeating the French at Leipsie, 
and in other well-contested battles, the com- 
bined troops entered France, and occupied 
Paris on the 31st of March, 1814. 

Q. How did the French people now act ? 

A. The French Senate appointed a provi- 
sional government, and after obliging Buona- 
parte to abdicate the throne, invited over their 
legitimate monarch, Louis XVI 1 1., who was 
then residing in England. 

Q. What steps were taken with regard to 
Buonaparte 1 

A. Buonaparte was sent to the Island of 
Elba, of which he was to retain the sovereignty, 
and to receive a pension of 20,000/. 

Q. What circumstances attended the return 
of peace ? 

A. The return of peace was celebrated with 
illuminations and rejoicings in every part of 
the kingdom, and the emperor of Russia, the 
king of Prussia, with the veteran generals Blu- 
cher and Piatoff, took that opportunity of 
visiting England. 

Q. In what contest was England still en- 
gaged ? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 91 

A. The English had been engaged in a 
war with the United States of America since 
June, 1812, which was carried on with vigour 
by both parties, by sea and land, until Decem- 
ber, 1814. 

Q. What again disturbed the peace of Eu- 
rope ? 

A. Buonaparte returned from Elba, in May, 
1815, and landing in France, recovered the im- 
perial dignity. 

Q. What measures did other powers adopt ? 

A. The allies immediately determined to 
expel the usurper, and having marched their 
forces to Belgium,* they were soon opposed 
by Buonaparte in person. 

Q. What battles took place '( 

A. Buonaparte attacked the British and allied 
troops at Waterloo, and after a long and bloody 
conflict, he suffered a memorable defeat, June 
18th, 1815. 

Q. What was the consequence of this suc- 
cess ? 

A. The allies once more entered France, 
and restored Louis XVIII. Buonaparte deli- 
vered himself up to the English, who sent him 
to St. Helena, where he remained a prisoner 
until his death, May 5th, 1821. 

* Belgium, a country surrounding Fr.anee, and part of the 
newly formed kingdom of the Netherlands. 



92 CATECHISM OP THE 

Q. What events distinguished the year 
1816? 

A. On the 2d of May of this year Prince 
Leopoid of Saxe Cobourg was married to the 
Princess Charlotte of Wales ; and in August, 
Lord Exmouth was sent out with a large fleet 
against the Algerines, whom he obliged to libe- 
rate their European captives, and to abolish 
for ever Christian slavery. 

Q. What was the state of England about this 
time ? 

A. By the sudden change from war to peace, 
our commerce, manufactures, and agriculture 
were seriously affected, and threw multitudes 
out of employ. 

Q. What were the consequences of this dis- 
tress ? 

A. The continued distress of the lower or- 
ders produced meetings and combinations in 
London and other large towns, which finally 
broke out into seditious outrages. 

Q. What step was taken to stop these dis- 
orders. 

A. Parliament passed a bill for the suspen- 
sion of the Habeas Corpus act, and some of 
the most active leaders were taken and exe- 
cuted : while others, after having been impri- 
soned for a considerable time, were released 
on the repeal of the Suspension Bill. 

Q. What calamitous event happened in 
1617? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 93 

A. On the 6th of November, the Princess 
Charlotte of Wales died in the 22d year of 
her age, after having given birth to a stillborn 
son. 

Q. What was the public feeling on this oc- 
casion ? 

A. Her piety, her abilities, her love for her 
country, and her benevolent and virtuous cha- 
racter, were the topics of general praise ; her 
untimely fate was bewailed as a puolic cala- 
mity ; and the day of her funeral was observed 
in every part of the empire, as one of general 
grief and humiliation. 

Q. What marriages took place 1 

A. The Dukes of Clarence, Kent, and 
Cambridge were united to German princesses ; 
and the Princess Elizabeth was married to the 
Prince of Hesse Hombourg. 

Q. What were the domestic occurrences of 
the year 1818? 

A. The year 1818 was distinguished by a 
general election, and the death of her gracious 
majesty, Queen Charlotte, who died at Kew, 
on the 17th of November, in the 75th year of 
her age. 

Q. What were the political events of this 
year? 

A. A meeting of the allied sovereigns was 
held at Aix-la-Chapelle, and it was agreed that, 
in consequence of the tranquil state of the 
French nation, the troops that had been left in 



94 CATECHISM OF THE 

France should be recalled ; accounts were 
also received from India that the war there had 
been brought to a successful issue. 

T. Describe the most remarkable events of 
1819. 

P. On the 16th of August, the inhabitants 
of Manchester and its neighbourhood assem- 
bled to the number of 00,000 persons, headed 
by Mr. Hunt, a notorious orator at other as- 
semblies; but the proceedings were hardly 
commenced when the leaders were arrested, 
and the yeomanry cavalry being ordered to dis- 
perse the people, several lives were lost and 
many persons were severely wounded. 

Q. What measures were taken to prevent 
the recurrence of similar tumults'? 

A. Several acts of parliament were passed, 
to prevent tumultuous meetings; Mr. Hunt 
and others were tried and sentenced to im- 
prisonment ; and Sir F. Burdett having writ- 
ten a letter to the inhabitants of Westminster, 
reflecting in severe terms on the conduct of 
ministers, was also tried, and the letter de- 
clared to be a libel. 

Q. What important events distinguished the 
commencement of 1820? 

A. About the middle of January, his royal 
highness Edward Duke of Kent died of a 
violent cold ; and on the 29th of the same 
month took place the demise of our venera- 
ble monarch, George III., in the 82d year of 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 95 

his age, and the 60th of his reign, the longest 
and most glorious in the annals of Britain. 
Q. What was the character of George III.] 
A. George III. was a just, merciful, and 
virtuous prince : intrepid in the discharge of 
his royal functions, and setting a laudable ex- 
ample to his subjects, by his firm attachment to 
moral and religious duties. 



CHAPTER IV. 

George the Fourth. 

Q. When was George IV. proclaimed 1 

A. George, Prince of Wales, Regent of the 
United Kingdom, was proclaimed king on 
Monday, the 31st of January, 1821. 

Q. What event distinguished the com- 
mencement of this reign ? 

A. On the 23d of February, a conspiracy 
was formed, by a number of obscure and 
wretched individuals, for the purpose of assas- 
sinating his majesty's ministers ; but being dis- 
covered, they were tried and found guilty of 
high-treason, and Thistle wood, with four others, 
suffered death. 

Q. What are the circumstances connected 
with the trial of the queen 1 

A. The queen, while Princess of Wales, 



96 CATECHISM. 

had separated from her husband, and had re- 
tired to the continent, where reports were cir- 
culated derogatory to her honour ; so that, on 
her return to England, ministers thought it ex- 
pedient to institute proceedings, tending to de- 
grade and divorce her majesty. 

Q. What was the result of the trial ? 

A. A Bill of Pains and Penalties was 
brought into the House of Lords, which, after 
the evidence had been heard on both sides, 
was on the smallness of the majority, on a third 
reading, finally withdrawn. 



APPENDIX. 



REMARKS ON THE PRESENT STATE OF LITERA- 
TURE AND THE ARTS IN ENGLAND. 

During the reign of his late Majesty 
George III. almost every branch of literature 
and science was cultivated in England with 
ability and success. In Divinity, although the 
scriptural basis remains the same, yet the doc- 
trines of the church have been more clearly 
illustrated ; and Bishops Home, Horseley, 
Lowth, Porteus, Watson, and other dignitaries, 
have employed their time in disseminating the 
principles of morality and religion. Natural 
Philosophy has been improved by an extension 
of the Newtonian system ; and the sedulous 
attention paid to Chemistry, by Priestley, Davy, 
Accum, Parkes, and others, has been rewarded 
by various important discoveries. Agriculture 
owes much of its improvement to the counte- 
nance of the late king, and the laudable pur- 
suits of Mr. Arthur Young. Botany also has 



UB APPENDIX. 

been rendered fashionable, by the patronage 
and attention which it received from the l&te 
amiable Princess Charlotte, 

The different branches of Medicine have 
been brought to the highest pitch of perfection, 
by Abernethy, Bell, Cullen, Home, and others; 
and that fatal disorder, the small-pox, has been 
almost entirely annihilated,, by the discovery of 
vaccination. 

Literature is most liberally encouraged, and' 
England may be considered the seat of learn- 
ing and the Muses, History and Biography: 
have been illuminated and dignified by the wri- 
tings of Johnson, Henry, Gibbon, Hume, 
Smollet, Goldsmith, Robertson, &c. : and the 
literary works of Bell, Brooke, Bryan, Dou- 
glass, Edgeworth, Hunter, Coxe, Paley, 
Priestley, Price, Clara Reeve, Charlotte Smith* 
Montague, &c. &c. will be perused with inte- 
rest by posterity. Poetry has been cultivated 
with eminent success ; but although more gor- 
geous, picturesque, and fanciful, than it was in 
the time of Pope, it seems to have declined in 
perspicuity and coherence — in elegance and 
in force,— -Among the most distinguished fa- 
vourites of the Muses are, Byron, Beattie, 
Campbell, Cowper, Coleridge, Goldsmith, Ma- 
son, Montgomery, Proctor, Rogers, Shen- 
stone* Southey, Walter .Scott, Wordsworth, 
and many females, whose poetical powers have 
been pre-emine.riuy displayed* 



APPENDIX. 99 

Since the establishment of the Royal Aca- 
demy, by his late majesty, the accomplished art 
of Painting has been revived with ardour, and 
the productions of the present century may be 
put in competition with those of the most emi- 
nent and ancient masters. Among the paint- 
ers of the first class that adorned the late 
reign are, Reynolds, West, Lawrence (now 
president of the Royal Academy), Beechy, 
Roinney, Opie, Jackson, Morland, Gainsbo- 
rough, Harlowe, Wilkie, Shee, and many 
others. The Sculptors meet with little em- 
ployment, few of our public buildings being- 
adorned with statues ; although the inimitable 
works of Flaxman, Westmacott, and Chantry 
prove that the genius of British artists is no 
way inferior to that of other nations. Music 
*has not attained excellence in proportion as it 
has been disseminated through almost all the 
orders of the community ; yet we have in- 
stances of transcendent native talent in the vo- 
cal powers of Braham, Corri, Dickons, Sal- 
mon, and Stephens; as well as in the compo- 
sitions of Arne, Bishop, Busby, Hook, and 
Shield. 

Besides the discoveries already noticed, gal- 
vanism has opened a wid** " " * nhiloso- -' 
cal inqtffry. Eng r 
stone has also bee 
the beautiful 1 ; 
in lamps, &r 



100 



APPENDIX. 



His late majesty took every opportunity of 
promoting the improvement of geography, and 
of directing it to the noblest ends, namely, the 
enlargement of science, and the civilization of 
mankind. Under his auspices, Byron, Wal- 
lis, Cook, and Carteret have immortalized 
their names by numerous and important disco- 
veries. For the present reign, however, was 
reserved the glory of carrying on the spirit of 
maritime enterprise to its greatest extent ; and 
the intrepid perseverance of Parry and his gal- 
lant companions, in abiding the rigour of ail 
Arctic winter, will be viewed with admiration 
to the latest posterity. 

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